Buddhists and tourists participate in the sacred "sunning of the Buddha" ceremony to mark the start of the annual Shoton Festival at the Drepung Monastery in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, on August 6. The weeklong Shoton Festival, which dates back to the 11th century, was originally a religious occasion wherein local people offered yogurt to monks who had finished their meditation retreats. Since the 17th century, the festival has become a celebration featuring both religious rituals and civic entertainment. It is now considered one of the most important festivals on the Tibetan calendar. (PURBU ZHAXI)