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  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: A Brahmin priest carries a deity into the temple for Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.      PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam009.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:   The entrance to Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok during the Hindu / Brahmin holy day of Thaipusam. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam016.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: A Brahmin priest carries a deity into the temple for Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.      PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam007.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: A Brahmin priest carries a deity into the temple for Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.      PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam006.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: A Brahmin priest carries a deity into the temple for Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.      PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam004.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:   A Brahmin priest blows a conch announcing the arrival of a deity for Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.      PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam010.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: A Brahmin priest carries a deity into the temple for Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.      PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam005.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: A Brahmin priest carries a deity into the temple for Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.      PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam008.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  A woman prays with incense during Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam031.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  A woman lights incense before praying during Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.      PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam022.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: A woman brings an offering of flowers to a shrine for Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam014.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  Women sift through the sand looking for rice seeds blessed by Brahmin priests at the Royal Ploughing Ceremony. After the ceremony, thousands of Thais, mostly family formers, rush onto the ploughed ground to gather up the blessed rice seeds sown by the Brahmin priests. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony020.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  A man sifts through the sand looking for rice seeds blessed by Brahmin priests at the Royal Ploughing Ceremony. After the ceremony, thousands of Thais, mostly family formers, rush onto the ploughed ground to gather up the blessed rice seeds sown by the Brahmin priests. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony019.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  People walk into the temple for Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam043.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  A woman prays with incense during Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam042.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  People pray during Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam041.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  People pray during Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam040.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  A woman prays with incense during Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam039.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  People pray during Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam037.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  A woman prays with incense during Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam034.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  A woman prays with incense during Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam027.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  A woman lights incense before praying during Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.      PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam023.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  People pray at the entrance to the temple for Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam021.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  People walk into the temple for Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam020.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  A woman prays during Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.      PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam018.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  A woman prays during Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.      PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam017.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: A man prays during Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.        PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam015.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:   Women pray as a deity is carried into the temple for Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam012.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:   for Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam003.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:   A woman sifts through the sand looking for rice seeds blessed by Brahmin priests at the Royal Ploughing Ceremony. After the ceremony, thousands of Thais, mostly family formers, rush onto the ploughed ground to gather up the blessed rice seeds sown by the Brahmin priests. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.  PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony018.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:   A man teaches his son the ritual of prayer for Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam038.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  People pray during Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam036.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  A woman prays with incense during Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam033.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  A woman prays with incense during Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam032.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  A woman prays at the entrance to a shrine during Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.      PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam026.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  A man prays during Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam025.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  Women light incense before praying during Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.      PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam024.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:   Women pray as a deity is carried into the temple for Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam013.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  People pray during Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam044.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  People pray at the entrance to the temple for Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam030.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  People pray at the entrance to the temple for Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam029.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  A woman prays with incense during Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam028.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  A woman lights incense before praying during Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.      PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam019.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:   Women pray as a deity is carried into the temple for Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam011.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  A woman prays with incense during Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam035.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: Women light incense before praying during Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam002.jpg
  • 27 JANUARY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: A woman lights incense before praying during Thaipusam at Dhevasathan (the Brahmin Shrines) on Dinso Rd in Bangkok. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the Tamil community in South East Asia on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of the Hindu god Murugan, son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (a lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. The holy day is celebrated by Brahmins in Thailand. Brahmanism was the court religion before Buddhism came to Thailand and before the foundation of Sukhothai. Both religions are combined in the Thai way of life and its customs and ceremonies.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Thaipusam001.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:   A family sifts through the sand they took from the Royal Ploughing Ceremony looking for blessed rice seeds sown by court Brahmins in Bangkok. After the ceremony, thousands of Thais, mostly family formers, rush onto the ploughed ground to gather up the blessed rice seeds sown by the Brahmin priests. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.  PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony035.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:   A family sifts through the sand they took from the Royal Ploughing Ceremony looking for blessed rice seeds sown by court Brahmins in Bangkok. After the ceremony, thousands of Thais, mostly family formers, rush onto the ploughed ground to gather up the blessed rice seeds sown by the Brahmin priests. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.  PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony034.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  Thousands crowd into the ploughed ground to collect blessed rice seeds at the Royal Ploughing Ceremony. After the ceremony, thousands of Thais, mostly family formers, rush onto the ploughed ground to gather up the blessed rice seeds sown by the Brahmin priests. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony022.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:    A child trips and is dragged by her mother as people rush onto Sanam Luang to collect blessed rice seeds after the Royal Ploughing Ceremony. After the ceremony, thousands of Thais, mostly family formers, rush onto the ploughed ground to gather up the blessed rice seeds sown by the Brahmin priests. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia. PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony010.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: People wait for the Royal Ploughing Ceremony to start under umbrellas to shield them from the sun and heat. After the ceremony, thousands of Thais, mostly family formers, rush onto the ploughed ground to gather up the blessed rice seeds sown by the Brahmin priests. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony038.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: A man sells blessed rice seeds his family (background) collected at the Royal Ploughing Ceremony. After the ceremony, thousands of Thais, mostly family formers, rush onto the ploughed ground to gather up the blessed rice seeds sown by the Brahmin priests. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony037.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: A man sells blessed rice seeds his family (background) collected at the Royal Ploughing Ceremony. After the ceremony, thousands of Thais, mostly family formers, rush onto the ploughed ground to gather up the blessed rice seeds sown by the Brahmin priests. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony036.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  People stroke the Royal Oxen and rub money on the animal's forehead for good luck at the Royal Ploughing Ceremony in Bangkok. After the ceremony, thousands of Thais, mostly family formers, rush onto the ploughed ground to gather up the blessed rice seeds sown by the Brahmin priests. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony032.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  People stroke the Royal Oxen and rub money on the animal's forehead for good luck at the Royal Ploughing Ceremony in Bangkok. After the ceremony, thousands of Thais, mostly family formers, rush onto the ploughed ground to gather up the blessed rice seeds sown by the Brahmin priests. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony031.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:   Children sift through the ploughed sand looking for blessed rice seeds at the Royal Ploughing Ceremony. After the ceremony, thousands of Thais, mostly family formers, rush onto the ploughed ground to gather up the blessed rice seeds sown by the Brahmin priests. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.  PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony028.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  A man sells blessed rice seeds he collected at the Royal Ploughing Ceremony. After the ceremony, thousands of Thais, mostly family formers, rush onto the ploughed ground to gather up the blessed rice seeds sown by the Brahmin priests. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony026.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  Thousands crowd into the ploughed ground to collect blessed rice seeds at the Royal Ploughing Ceremony. After the ceremony, thousands of Thais, mostly family formers, rush onto the ploughed ground to gather up the blessed rice seeds sown by the Brahmin priests. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony021.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: A man looks for blessed rice seeds after the Royal Ploughing Ceremony in Bangkok. After the ceremony, thousands of Thais, mostly family formers, rush onto the ploughed ground to gather up the blessed rice seeds sown by the Brahmin priests. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony013.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:    A child trips and is dragged by her mother as people rush onto Sanam Luang to collect blessed rice seeds after the Royal Ploughing Ceremony. After the ceremony, thousands of Thais, mostly family formers, rush onto the ploughed ground to gather up the blessed rice seeds sown by the Brahmin priests. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia. PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony009.jpg
  • 09 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: Rehearsal for the Royal Ploughing Ceremony on Sanam Luang. The annual Ploughing Ceremony is held during the sixth lunar month (May) at Sanam Luang (the Phramane Ground) in front of the Grand Palace. The event, which marks the beginning of the official rice-planting season, is presided over by His Majesty the King or his representative. The Ploughing Ceremony is thought to date back more than 2500 years. The event has Brahmin origins and even today Brahmin astrologers set the exact date and time for the ceremony. During the Sukhothai period (13th and 14th centuries), the event involved a long processions led by the ruling monarch. Many of the original rites and ceremonies have been maintained.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    Bangkok0511006.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: Thousands crowd into the ploughed ground to collect blessed rice seeds at the Royal Ploughing Ceremony. After the ceremony, thousands of Thais, mostly family formers, rush onto the ploughed ground to gather up the blessed rice seeds sown by the Brahmin priests. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony017.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: Thousands crowd into the ploughed ground to collect blessed rice seeds at the Royal Ploughing Ceremony. After the ceremony, thousands of Thais, mostly family formers, rush onto the ploughed ground to gather up the blessed rice seeds sown by the Brahmin priests. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony016.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: A cotton candy vendor works the crowd while Thais looks for blessed rice seeds at the Royal Ploughing Ceremony. After the ceremony, thousands of Thais, mostly family formers, rush onto the ploughed ground to gather up the blessed rice seeds sown by the Brahmin priests. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony040.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: People rush onto the field at the Royal Ploughing Ceremony in Bangkok. After the ceremony, thousands of Thais, mostly family formers, rush onto the ploughed ground to gather up the blessed rice seeds sown by the Brahmin priests. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony039.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  People stroke the Royal Oxen and rub money on the animal's forehead for good luck at the Royal Ploughing Ceremony in Bangkok. After the ceremony, thousands of Thais, mostly family formers, rush onto the ploughed ground to gather up the blessed rice seeds sown by the Brahmin priests. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony030.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:   A man collects blessed rice seeds in a plastic bag after the Royal Ploughing Ceremony in Bangkok. After the ceremony, thousands of Thais, mostly family formers, rush onto the ploughed ground to gather up the blessed rice seeds sown by the Brahmin priests. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.  PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony014.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:    A child trips and is dragged by her mother as people rush onto Sanam Luang to collect blessed rice seeds after the Royal Ploughing Ceremony. After the ceremony, thousands of Thais, mostly family formers, rush onto the ploughed ground to gather up the blessed rice seeds sown by the Brahmin priests. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia. PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony008.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:    A child trips and is dragged by her mother as people rush onto Sanam Luang to collect blessed rice seeds after the Royal Ploughing Ceremony. After the ceremony, thousands of Thais, mostly family formers, rush onto the ploughed ground to gather up the blessed rice seeds sown by the Brahmin priests. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia. PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony007.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  A man looks for blessed rice seeds after the Royal Ploughing Ceremony in Bangkok. After the ceremony, thousands of Thais, mostly family formers, rush onto the ploughed ground to gather up the blessed rice seeds sown by the Brahmin priests. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony033.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:   Children sift through the ploughed sand looking for blessed rice seeds at the Royal Ploughing Ceremony. After the ceremony, thousands of Thais, mostly family formers, rush onto the ploughed ground to gather up the blessed rice seeds sown by the Brahmin priests. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.  PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony029.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  A man sells blessed rice seeds he collected at the Royal Ploughing Ceremony. After the ceremony, thousands of Thais, mostly family formers, rush onto the ploughed ground to gather up the blessed rice seeds sown by the Brahmin priests. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony027.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  A man sells blessed rice seeds he collected at the Royal Ploughing Ceremony. After the ceremony, thousands of Thais, mostly family formers, rush onto the ploughed ground to gather up the blessed rice seeds sown by the Brahmin priests. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony025.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  Court attendants hold the Royal Oxen while people stroke them for good luck at the Royal Ploughing ceremony. After the ceremony, thousands of Thais, mostly family formers, rush onto the ploughed ground to gather up the blessed rice seeds sown by the Brahmin priests. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony024.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  A man sells blessed rice seeds he collected at the Royal Ploughing Ceremony. After the ceremony, thousands of Thais, mostly family formers, rush onto the ploughed ground to gather up the blessed rice seeds sown by the Brahmin priests. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony023.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: Thousands crowd into the ploughed ground to collect blessed rice seeds at the Royal Ploughing Ceremony. After the ceremony, thousands of Thais, mostly family formers, rush onto the ploughed ground to gather up the blessed rice seeds sown by the Brahmin priests. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony015.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:    A child trips and is dragged by her mother as people rush onto Sanam Luang to collect blessed rice seeds after the Royal Ploughing Ceremony. After the ceremony, thousands of Thais, mostly family formers, rush onto the ploughed ground to gather up the blessed rice seeds sown by the Brahmin priests. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia. PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony006.jpg
  • 09 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: Rehearsal for the Royal Ploughing Ceremony on Sanam Luang. The annual Ploughing Ceremony is held during the sixth lunar month (May) at Sanam Luang (the Phramane Ground) in front of the Grand Palace. The event, which marks the beginning of the official rice-planting season, is presided over by His Majesty the King or his representative. The Ploughing Ceremony is thought to date back more than 2500 years. The event has Brahmin origins and even today Brahmin astrologers set the exact date and time for the ceremony. During the Sukhothai period (13th and 14th centuries), the event involved a long processions led by the ruling monarch. Many of the original rites and ceremonies have been maintained.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
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  • 29 AUGUST 2013 - HUA HIN, PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, THAILAND:A Brahmin priest leads a blessing for the elephants before the King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament in Hua Hin. The tournament’s primary sponsor in Anantara Resorts and the tournament is hosted by Anantara Hua Hin. This is the 12th year for the King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament. The sport of elephant polo started in Nepal in 1982. Proceeds from the King’s Cup tournament goes to help rehabilitate elephants rescued from abuse. Each team has three players and three elephants. Matches take place on a pitch (field) 80 meters by 48 meters using standard polo balls. The game is divided into two 7 minute “chukkas” or halves. There are 16 teams in this year’s tournament, including one team of transgendered “ladyboys.”    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    ElephantPoloPS051.jpg
  • 29 AUGUST 2013 - HUA HIN, PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, THAILAND: A Brahmin priest leads a blessing for the elephants before the King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament in Hua Hin. The tournament’s primary sponsor in Anantara Resorts and the tournament is hosted by Anantara Hua Hin. This is the 12th year for the King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament. The sport of elephant polo started in Nepal in 1982. Proceeds from the King’s Cup tournament goes to help rehabilitate elephants rescued from abuse. Each team has three players and three elephants. Matches take place on a pitch (field) 80 meters by 48 meters using standard polo balls. The game is divided into two 7 minute “chukkas” or halves. There are 16 teams in this year’s tournament, including one team of transgendered “ladyboys.”    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    ElephantPoloPS061.jpg
  • 29 AUGUST 2013 - HUA HIN, PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, THAILAND:A Brahmin priest leads a blessing for the elephants before the King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament in Hua Hin. The tournament’s primary sponsor in Anantara Resorts and the tournament is hosted by Anantara Hua Hin. This is the 12th year for the King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament. The sport of elephant polo started in Nepal in 1982. Proceeds from the King’s Cup tournament goes to help rehabilitate elephants rescued from abuse. Each team has three players and three elephants. Matches take place on a pitch (field) 80 meters by 48 meters using standard polo balls. The game is divided into two 7 minute “chukkas” or halves. There are 16 teams in this year’s tournament, including one team of transgendered “ladyboys.”    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    ElephantPoloPS052.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  Thais watch the Royal Ploughing Ceremony in Bangkok. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony005.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  Collected rice seeds and dirt in a farmer's hat after the Royal Ploughing Ceremony. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony012.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  Collected rice seeds and dirt in a farmer's hat after the Royal Ploughing Ceremony. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony011.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  A man shades himself with the flag of the Royal Family and a fan depicting Bhumibol Adulyadej, the King of Thailand, and his wife, Queen Sirikit.  The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony004.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: Musicians of the Royal Court start the Royal Ploughing Ceremony in Bangkok. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony002.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: Musicians of the Royal Court start the Royal Ploughing Ceremony in Bangkok. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony001.jpg
  • 13 MAY 2013 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  A woman shades herself with the Thai flag at the Royal Ploughing Ceremony. The Royal Plowing Ceremony is held Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. The date is usually in May, but is determined by court astrologers and varies year to year. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and plough a small field on Sanam Luang (across from the Grand Palace), while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky. Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. A similar ceremony is held in Cambodia.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RoyalPloughingCeremony003.jpg
  • 09 NOVEMBER 2017 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: Thai classical dancers perform at the Erawan Shrine on the 61st anniversary of the shrine's dedication. The Erawan Shrine is one of the most popular shrines in Bangkok. It was dedicated on November 9, 1956, after a series of construction accidents at what was then the Erawan Hotel (since torn down and replaced by the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel). The statue in the shrine is Phra Phrom, the Thai representation of the Hindu god of creation Brahma. It is a Hindu shrine popular with Thai and Chinese Buddhists because it is thought that making an offering to the Phra Phrom will bring good fortune.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    ErawanShrineAnniversary045.jpg
  • 09 NOVEMBER 2017 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: Thai classical dancers perform at the Erawan Shrine on the 61st anniversary of the shrine's dedication. The Erawan Shrine is one of the most popular shrines in Bangkok. It was dedicated on November 9, 1956, after a series of construction accidents at what was then the Erawan Hotel (since torn down and replaced by the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel). The statue in the shrine is Phra Phrom, the Thai representation of the Hindu god of creation Brahma. It is a Hindu shrine popular with Thai and Chinese Buddhists because it is thought that making an offering to the Phra Phrom will bring good fortune.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    ErawanShrineAnniversary041.jpg
  • 09 NOVEMBER 2017 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: People pray at the Erawan Shrine during a ceremony to mark the 61st anniversary of the shrine's dedication. The Erawan Shrine is one of the most popular shrines in Bangkok. It was dedicated on November 9, 1956, after a series of construction accidents at what was then the Erawan Hotel (since torn down and replaced by the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel). The statue in the shrine is Phra Phrom, the Thai representation of the Hindu god of creation Brahma. It is a Hindu shrine popular with Thai and Chinese Buddhists because it is thought that making an offering to the Phra Phrom will bring good fortune.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    ErawanShrineAnniversary040.jpg
  • 09 NOVEMBER 2017 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: People pray at the Erawan Shrine during a ceremony to mark the 61st anniversary of the shrine's dedication. The Erawan Shrine is one of the most popular shrines in Bangkok. It was dedicated on November 9, 1956, after a series of construction accidents at what was then the Erawan Hotel (since torn down and replaced by the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel). The statue in the shrine is Phra Phrom, the Thai representation of the Hindu god of creation Brahma. It is a Hindu shrine popular with Thai and Chinese Buddhists because it is thought that making an offering to the Phra Phrom will bring good fortune.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    ErawanShrineAnniversary038.jpg
  • 09 NOVEMBER 2017 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: People pray at the Erawan Shrine during a ceremony to mark the 61st anniversary of the shrine's dedication. The Erawan Shrine is one of the most popular shrines in Bangkok. It was dedicated on November 9, 1956, after a series of construction accidents at what was then the Erawan Hotel (since torn down and replaced by the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel). The statue in the shrine is Phra Phrom, the Thai representation of the Hindu god of creation Brahma. It is a Hindu shrine popular with Thai and Chinese Buddhists because it is thought that making an offering to the Phra Phrom will bring good fortune.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    ErawanShrineAnniversary037.jpg
  • 09 NOVEMBER 2017 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: People pray at the Erawan Shrine during a ceremony to mark the 61st anniversary of the shrine's dedication. The Erawan Shrine is one of the most popular shrines in Bangkok. It was dedicated on November 9, 1956, after a series of construction accidents at what was then the Erawan Hotel (since torn down and replaced by the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel). The statue in the shrine is Phra Phrom, the Thai representation of the Hindu god of creation Brahma. It is a Hindu shrine popular with Thai and Chinese Buddhists because it is thought that making an offering to the Phra Phrom will bring good fortune.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    ErawanShrineAnniversary036.jpg
  • 09 NOVEMBER 2017 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: People walk in a clockwise direction around the shrine during offerings at the Erawan Shrine on the 61st anniversary of the shrine's dedication. The Erawan Shrine is one of the most popular shrines in Bangkok. It was dedicated on November 9, 1956, after a series of construction accidents at what was then the Erawan Hotel (since torn down and replaced by the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel). The statue in the shrine is Phra Phrom, the Thai representation of the Hindu god of creation Brahma. It is a Hindu shrine popular with Thai and Chinese Buddhists because it is thought that making an offering to the Phra Phrom will bring good fortune.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    ErawanShrineAnniversary034.jpg
  • 09 NOVEMBER 2017 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: People pray on the sidewalk in front of the Erawan Shrine on the 61st anniversary of the shrine's dedication. The Erawan Shrine is one of the most popular shrines in Bangkok. It was dedicated on November 9, 1956, after a series of construction accidents at what was then the Erawan Hotel (since torn down and replaced by the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel). The statue in the shrine is Phra Phrom, the Thai representation of the Hindu god of creation Brahma. It is a Hindu shrine popular with Thai and Chinese Buddhists because it is thought that making an offering to the Phra Phrom will bring good fortune.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    ErawanShrineAnniversary033.jpg
  • 09 NOVEMBER 2017 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  A woman lights incense before praying at the Erawan Shrine on the 61st anniversary of the shrine's dedication. The Erawan Shrine is one of the most popular shrines in Bangkok. It was dedicated on November 9, 1956, after a series of construction accidents at what was then the Erawan Hotel (since torn down and replaced by the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel). The statue in the shrine is Phra Phrom, the Thai representation of the Hindu god of creation Brahma. It is a Hindu shrine popular with Thai and Chinese Buddhists because it is thought that making an offering to the Phra Phrom will bring good fortune.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    ErawanShrineAnniversary032.jpg
  • 09 NOVEMBER 2017 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  A woman lights incense before praying at the Erawan Shrine on the 61st anniversary of the shrine's dedication. The Erawan Shrine is one of the most popular shrines in Bangkok. It was dedicated on November 9, 1956, after a series of construction accidents at what was then the Erawan Hotel (since torn down and replaced by the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel). The statue in the shrine is Phra Phrom, the Thai representation of the Hindu god of creation Brahma. It is a Hindu shrine popular with Thai and Chinese Buddhists because it is thought that making an offering to the Phra Phrom will bring good fortune.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    ErawanShrineAnniversary031.jpg
  • 09 NOVEMBER 2017 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: People walk past Buddhist monks waiting for people to give them alms in front of the Erawan Shrine on the 61st anniversary of the shrine's dedication. The Erawan Shrine is one of the most popular shrines in Bangkok. It was dedicated on November 9, 1956, after a series of construction accidents at what was then the Erawan Hotel (since torn down and replaced by the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel). The statue in the shrine is Phra Phrom, the Thai representation of the Hindu god of creation Brahma. It is a Hindu shrine popular with Thai and Chinese Buddhists because it is thought that making an offering to the Phra Phrom will bring good fortune.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    ErawanShrineAnniversary027.jpg
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Jack Kurtz: Photojournalist & Travel Photographer

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