Pilgrims run next to the shrine of El Rocio in Almonte, southern Spain, on May 18.

A pilgrim lights a candle in the shrine of El Rocio in Almonte, southern Spain.

Children dance and sing during the pilgrimage of El Rocio in Almonte.

Pilgrims wait before taking part in a procession next to the shrine of El Rocio.

A pilgrim is seen in a carriage during the pilgrimage of El Rocio.

A pilgrim couple rides a horse next to the shrine of El Rocio.

A pilgrim walks in the shrine of El Rocio.

Pilgrims gather around a statue of the Virgin del Rocio during the El Rocio Romeria pilgrimage in Spain's Huelva province on Aug. 20. Once every seven years the Virgin of El Rocio is carried at night from El Rocio to Almonte.

A pilgrim looks at a statue of the Virgin del Rocio. Once every seven years the Virgin of El Rocio is carried at night from El Rocio to Almonte.

A pilgrim watches the procession.

Pilgrims gather around a statue of the Virgin del Rocio at the end of her her once-every-seven-years-journey from El Rocio to Almonte.

Pilgrims line up to enter the Amarnath cave, one of the most revered Hindu shrines, on June 29, 2012 in Indian Kashmir.

Hindu pilgrims walk along a mountain path as they make their pilgrimage to the sacred Amarnath Cave on June 30, 2012 near Baltal.

A Hindu holy man wearing little clothing walks down a snowy hill during the traditional journey to the Amarnath cave, near Panitarni on June 28, 2012.

Pilgrims wearing track suits rest on the journey to the Amarnath cave on June 30, 2012.

The camp for Hindu pilgrims is seen at the Amarnath cave, near Sangam on June 29, 2012.

A pilgrim is carried on a palanquin by Kashmiri bearers over a glacier on her way to the sacred Amarnath Cave on June 29, 2012.

A Hindu holy man gestures to well-wishers as he is carried down a trail, near Panitarni on June 28, 2012.

A young pilgrim cries as he struggles along the path as he walks with his family during their pilgrimage to the sacred Amarnath Cave on June 28, 2012 near Baltal.

Pilgrims line up for a meal at a Lungar facility providing free food, near Baltal on June 29, 2012.

Pilgrims walk along a mountain trail during their pilgrimage to the sacred Amarnath Cave on June 30, 2012.

Tens of thousands of Muslim pilgrims move around the Kaaba, seen at center right, inside the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 31, 2011. The annual Islamic pilgrimage draws 2.5 million visitors each year, making it the largest yearly gathering of people in the world. The Hajj will officially begin on Nov. 5.

Pilgrims circle the Kaaba at the Al-Masjid al-Haram in Mecca.

Hindu pilgrims make their way to the Amarnath cave shrine over a glacier near Panchtarni, 93 miles from Srinagar, India, on July 27.

A Kashmiri Muslim horseman tries to comfort a crying Hindu child before resuming their trek towards the holy Amarnath cave shrine from Sheeshnag on July 27.

Hindu pilgrims trek towards the Amarnath cave shrine at Sheeshnag on July 27.

Hindu pilgrims are carried on palanquins by Muslim bearers over a glacier near Amarnath cave on July 28.

A handicapped Hindu makes his pilgrimage to the sacred Amarnath Caves, one of the most revered of Hindu shrines on June 29 near Baltal, India. More than 5,000 Hindu devotees, braving sub-zero temperatures, began the hike over glaciers and along paths overhanging gorges to reach the sacred Amarnath cave housing an ice stalagmite, a stylized phallus worshiped by Hindus as a symbol of the god Shiva.

Hindu pilgrims make their pilgrimage to the sacred Amarnath Caves on June 29. The Kashmiri Mountains near Srinagar are 12,500 feet above sea level. About 200,000 Hindu pilgrims are expected to take part in this year's two-month pilgrimage, during which large numbers of Indian paramilitary soldiers and policemen are being deployed along the route as protection from attacks by militants who have been fighting for independence of Kashmir since 1989.

A Hindu worships in front of an ice stalagmite called a Shiva Lingam.

Hindu pilgrims congregate in a camp during their pilgrimage on June 29.

A Tibetan Buddhist nun prostrates herself on the road circumnavigating around Swayambhunath Buddhist stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal on Feb. 2. Swayambhunath is a world heritage site and an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists.

A Tibetan Buddhist nun prostrates herself on the road circumnavigating around Swayambhunath Buddhist stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal on Feb. 2.

A girl covers herself on a cold morning as she begs for alms from pilgrims on a beach at Sagar Island, south of Kolkata, Jan. 13. Hindu monks and pilgrims are making an annual trip to Sagar Island for a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganges river and the Bay of Bengal on Jan. 14 for the one-day festival of Makar Sankranti.