Hindu devotees honor goddesses in India and Britain, in photos

In India and Britain, Hindu worshippers are taking part in rituals honoring the divine feminine. The observances come during Aadi, a holy month in the Tamil calendar associated with prayers, offerings and devotion to Hindu goddesses.

Click to Gallery

A Hindu devotee with his back pierced with hooks perform rituals during 'Aadi' festival, a holy month for Tamils observed with prayers and offerings to Hindu goddesses, in Chennai, India, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

Hindu devotees with hooks pierced through the skin on their backs take part in the Aadi festival, a holy month for Tamils observed with prayers and offerings to Hindu goddesses, in Chennai, India, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

Worshippers perform an act of sacrifice as they take part in the Hindu Chariot Festival, a celebration to worship the Hindu god Amman, in London, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

A worshipper takes part in the Hindu Chariot Festival, a celebration to worship the Hindu god Amman, in London, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Hindu devotees with their back pierced with hooks spin during 'Aadi' festival, a holy month for Tamils observed with prayers and offerings to Hindu goddesses, in Chennai, India, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

Women take part in the Hindu Chariot Festival, a celebration to worship the Hindu god Amman, in London, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Worshippers perform an act of sacrifice as they take part in the Hindu Chariot Festival, a celebration to worship the Hindu god Amman, in London, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

A Hindu devotee with hooks pierced through the skin on his body hangs miniature water pots as offerings during the 'Aadi' festival, a holy month for Tamils observed with prayers and offerings to Hindu goddesses. in Chennai, India, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

Women take part in the Hindu Chariot Festival, a celebration to worship the Hindu god Amman, in London, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Hindu devotees carry milk pots during a procession to perform rituals for the 'Aadi' festival, a holy month for Tamils observed with prayers and offerings to Hindu goddesses, in Chennai, India, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

Hindu devotees with their back pierced with hooks pull the chariot of goddess during 'Aadi' festival, a holy month for Tamils observed with prayers and offerings to Hindu goddesses, in Chennai, India, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

A Hindu devotee reacts in pain after having his cheeks pierced with a steel rod as part of a ritual during the 'Aadi' festival, a holy month for Tamils observed with prayers and offerings to Hindu goddesses, in Chennai, India, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

More Images

A Hindu devotee with his back pierced with hooks perform rituals during 'Aadi' festival, a holy month for Tamils observed with prayers and offerings to Hindu goddesses, in Chennai, India, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

Hindu devotees with hooks pierced through the skin on their backs take part in the Aadi festival, a holy month for Tamils observed with prayers and offerings to Hindu goddesses, in Chennai, India, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

Worshippers perform an act of sacrifice as they take part in the Hindu Chariot Festival, a celebration to worship the Hindu god Amman, in London, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

A worshipper takes part in the Hindu Chariot Festival, a celebration to worship the Hindu god Amman, in London, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Hindu devotees with their back pierced with hooks spin during 'Aadi' festival, a holy month for Tamils observed with prayers and offerings to Hindu goddesses, in Chennai, India, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

Women take part in the Hindu Chariot Festival, a celebration to worship the Hindu god Amman, in London, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Worshippers perform an act of sacrifice as they take part in the Hindu Chariot Festival, a celebration to worship the Hindu god Amman, in London, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

A Hindu devotee with hooks pierced through the skin on his body hangs miniature water pots as offerings during the 'Aadi' festival, a holy month for Tamils observed with prayers and offerings to Hindu goddesses. in Chennai, India, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

Women take part in the Hindu Chariot Festival, a celebration to worship the Hindu god Amman, in London, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Hindu devotees carry milk pots during a procession to perform rituals for the 'Aadi' festival, a holy month for Tamils observed with prayers and offerings to Hindu goddesses, in Chennai, India, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

Hindu devotees with their back pierced with hooks pull the chariot of goddess during 'Aadi' festival, a holy month for Tamils observed with prayers and offerings to Hindu goddesses, in Chennai, India, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

A Hindu devotee reacts in pain after having his cheeks pierced with a steel rod as part of a ritual during the 'Aadi' festival, a holy month for Tamils observed with prayers and offerings to Hindu goddesses, in Chennai, India, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

CINCINNATI (AP) — Jannik Sinner, the world's No. 1 men's tennis player, withdrew from the Cincinnati Open on Sunday because of a knee injury.

Sinner, who hasn't competed since capturing his second straight Wimbledon title last month, also withdrew from the tournament in Toronto that began Wednesday.

The 24-year-old Sinner has five Grand Slam titles and just needs to win the French Open to complete the career Grand Slam.

“After consulting with my doctors and my team, I have to announce that I need to withdraw from the Masters 1000 tournament in Cincinnati,” the Italian said in a statement released by tournament officials. “My right knee has been bothering me and even though we have been working hard with my medical team, I have to accept that I’m not ready to compete yet. I’m very disappointed not to be able to play in Cincinnati. I can’t wait to be back next year and I’m now focusing on getting ready for the U.S. Open.”

Sinner's announcement follows a similar decision by Carlos Alcaraz, who said Tuesday he also was withdrawing from the hard-court event in Cincinnati because of a lingering wrist injury.

The absences mean fans in Cincinnati will not see either of the world's top two players when men's singles begins Saturday.

Two years ago, Sinner won the title in Cincinnati, which traditionally is one of the last stops before the U.S. Open and serves as a warmup. He then went on to win the U.S. Open.

Last year, Alcaraz dethroned Sinner with a four-set victory in the U.S. Open final. The 23-year-old Spaniard will try to defend his title when the main draw of the tourney begins Aug. 30.

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Hindu devotees honor goddesses in India and Britain, in photos

News