In Pictures

Summer and winter solstice celebrations

How the longest, or shortest, day was welcomed around the world.

The sun''s up there somewhere — 21 June 2012: Around 5,000 people gathered to watch the summer solstice at Stonehenge in Wiltshire, UK. Overcast skies and heavy rain prevented any sighting of the sun.

The solstice marks the arrival of summer in the northern hemisphere and winter in the southern hemisphere. Aside from its astronomical significance, the solstice is commemorated in varying ways around the world. Some mark it with religious festivals; others organise events to promote a variety of causes.

Offering a prayer — 21 June 2012: (***)Ancestor(***), a 6.7-metre, 7 tonne statue seems to be offering up a prayer to the rising sun at Stonehenge.

Praying for a break in the rain? — 21 June 2012: Druid Arthur Pendragon, conducts a solstice celebration service for the revelers.

Sunglasses not required — 21 June 2012: The solstice attracts a host of colourful characters.

Modern meets ancient — 21 June 2012: One reveler at Stonehenge captures the moment on his laptop.

Wake up! — 21 June 2012: If you are planning to watch a sunrise, it may be a good idea to set your alarm. (The busy A303 does not enhance the atmosphere at Stonehenge.)

Feel the force — 21 June 2012: It is not clear whether this woman is hugging the stone or has merely fallen asleep leaning against it.

An historical moment — 21 June 2012: For at least the 4,000th time, observers watch the summer solstice from the megalithic observatory at Kokino, 100 km northeast of Skopje, the capital of the Republic of Macedonia.

Indian summer — 21 June 2012: Ken "Ironfist" Hayden performs the pipe ceremony to honor the presence of the creator during the summer solstice at Highpoint Scenic Vista in Wrightsville, Pennsylvania, US..

Al together now — 21 June 2012: Israelis, Palestinians and foreigners celebrate unity and peace in Jerusalem(***)s (***)Hug Day(***) which coincides with the summer solstice.

Ray of light — 21 June 2012: The first rays of sunlight on the summer solstice pierce the opening in the Risco Caido cave site in Antenera, Gran Canaria, Spain, illuminating the rock carvings.

And stretch... — 20 June 2012: Thousands of yogis descended on Times Square for the annual Mind over Madness event in New York.

All the president''s men — 21 June 2012: The southern hemisphere winter solstice was marked by Bolivia(***)s Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera (centre L) and his fiancee Claudia Fernandez (centre R) at Tiahunaco, 70 km from La Paz.

The sun and the moon — 21 June 2012: Aymara natives gather at the Valley of the Moon near La Paz to celebrate the winter solstice, which marks the Aymara New Year.

Offerings to the gods — 21 June 2012: A Bolivian priestess makes offerings to Pachamama (Mother Earth) during the winter solstice in La Paz.