A HINDU PRIEST LIGHTS A FIRE USING A MAGNIFYING GLASS DURING A PRAYER CEREMONY FOR VICTIMS OF THE EARTQUAKE IN BHUJ.


A Hindu priest lights a fire using a magnifying glass during a prayer ceremony for victims of the eartquake in the western town of Bhuj on February 7, 2001. According to the Hindu tradition,a ceremonial ritual is performed 12 days after the death of a loved one. The January 26 earthquake, which measured 7.9 on the Richter scale, is estimated to have killed at least 30,000 people and left hundreds of thousands without homes.