The Hindu festival of colours Holi brings unadulterated joy, fun, music and dance, plus plenty of bright colors.

A scene from a monastery in Myanmar.

A view from Sczeliniec to Owls Mountains and Klodzko valley in Poland.

A group of 20 to 30 men and women with 12 horses and sleighs travel over three days, crossing snowy roads and iced lakes to reach the opening day of Røros winter fair in Norway.

Of the Tiger and Turtle is a work of art on an industrial landmark in Germany. The amazing staircase features 249 steps for visitors to climb and take in the views of the Rhine. In the background you can see a steel mill.

Families visit the shrine of Hazrat Ali, or the Blue Mosque, in Mazar-i-Sharif in Afghanistan in May 2012. The historical mosque attracts thousands of pilgrims each year.

14 giraffes flee after spotting lions in hunting mode

Ambleside pictured on the road from Keswick. Photographer Joe Stockdale said: 'It's rare you'll get any of the lakes or waters this still through the day. The Sun was directly above the fell these trees are on, which created this strong golden touch fringing all the woodland.'

A 240-degree view of the Milky Way behind the Quiver Tree Forest near Keetmanshoop, Namibia. Both Magellanic clouds are visible on the left, while the central bulge of our own galaxy contrasts with the warm glow of light pollution from the nearby town.

Photographer Maciej Makowski was 'hanging around the Jaipur's suburbia' when he noticed a cloud of birds in the air. He said: 'I just instinctively released the shutter. Soul of Sir Hitchcock lives here I thought.'

Photographer Nathan Wills captured the calm of both human and animal. He said: 'My partner was getting her flippers on and I was already prepared and ready to get in so I swam out to see if I could get this shot. I could have never imagined that in a million years I would have a turtle just cruising by at the moment I stuck my head under. How blessed.'

Monks look up at the magnificent night sky filled with thousands of lanterns. Photographer Ng Chai Hock said: 'This was the moment I've been waiting for and it lasted very quickly due to strong wind. A very heavy downpour occurred right after we left the place.'

An aerial view on the surreal world of the desert city Dubai.

A little girl of Turtuk Village, Nubra Valley in Ladakh, India.

The Milky Way looking like a giant tree on top of a mountain near Ush Konyr plateau.

Riding the passenger jeepney at sunset on Sibuyan Island, Philippines. Photographer Manny Fajutag said: 'I grabbed the opportunity to take this picture even if it's in the middle of a dusty road.'