While Thailand’s Vegetarian Festival may have reached its incendiary finale on Sunday in Phuket, its riotous Hindu counterpart of Navratri drew thousands last night to the streets around Sri Mahamariamman temple on lower SIlom Road. Crowds continue to swell each year for the festival, which has outgrown the confines of Thanon Pan and now occupies much of lower Sathon Road. Shrines sponsored by various businesses, organizations and private parties line the parade route along Sathon, Naradhiwas, Silom and Surasak roads. As the festival grows more popular, so do its production values. Some shrines were constructed like elaborate cinematic set pieces, complete with smoke machines, colored lighting and deluxe sound systems pumping out the om shakti om‘s all night long. Spiritual guides at many shrines offered themselves as divine vessels, to dance, scream, gyrate and handle living flame in a state of trance ecstasy for the spiritual sake of those gathered. Much of Bangkok’s Indian community attended, but most of the attendees were Thai. Thailand may be a Buddhist country, but many people will seek additional merit for their metaphysical fortunes from compatible sources. —Todd Ruiz
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