Every year, the whole city of Bhaktapur, Nepal, empties itself into the streets for over a week to celebrate Bisket Jatra, which starts four days before the Nepalese New Year and continues for four days after it. Lasting from April 9 until April 16 this year (2012), the multifaceted festival is a ritual welcome extended to the New Year and carries immense cultural significance for the people of the city.

The annual Pasola festival is a hallmark of culture on Sumba, one of the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia. Wrapped in legend and of uncertain origin, it is a raucous event that attracts huge crowds of locals and visitors, all drawn to its curious combination of wild celebration and rigid ceremony pulled straight from ancient Indonesian lore.