The 11th Ganesha Festival in Bangkok
Sorry, this blog is a week late. We’ve been working on a lot of little projects that I’ll announce soon. Last Sunday we attended the 11th Ganesha Festival in Bangkok at Wat Dan, which it turns out is pronounced Wat Don. This was the culmination of a two-day event that featured an on the spot Ganesha painting competition, Ganesha souvenir, and vegetarian food stalls, a devotional cultural program, a colorful procession, and a Visarjan Ceremony, which ends with dropping a huge statue of Ganesha in the Chao Phraya River. This coincided with Ganesha Chaturthi or Ganesha’s birthday ceremony that is celebrated all over India and in Hindus communities around the world. You can read more about this on our blog about Ganesha Chaturthi in India.
A Photo Op
Mr Susheel Kumar Saraff, President VHP Thailand with Mrs Pushpa Devi Saraff
Countdown…
As I was waiting for my turn to photograph the 3-meter tall image of Ganesha image, I realized that I was in the queue to photograph Mr Susheel Kumar Saraff, President VHP Thailand with Mrs Pushpa Devi Saraff.
Afterward, we presented offerings and received our blessings. I kept wondering how they would get the image of Ganesha on a truck and after a spirited ceremony that tested the full power of the sound system.
The Statue is Moved…
Eventually, a large flatbed truck backed into position. The statue was then carefully moved onto the truck, and the procession began.
Excitement Builds as the Truck Leaves the Temple
Removing Obstacles for Lord Ganesha
Removing obstacles for Lord Ganesha as a thunderstorm approaches and a traffic jam is created.
While exiting the temple, a problem was encountered with several power lines. I could imagine Lord Ganesha in my mind, smiling, eating a ladoo, and watching as long sticks were used to raise the electric wires allowing the truck with the idol of Ganesha to pass. “It’s my birthday; I’ll let them clear obstacles for Me today!” He must have mused.
End of the Procession
Photo Credit: VHP Association Thailand
I decided that I wouldn’t try to capture the photo of the statue being lowered into the river as I knew space would be tight and I didn’t want to get in the way of the VHP Association photographers who seemed quite busy and competent. You can see more of their photos here.
Next year I hope you can join a Ganesha Chaturthi celebration here or in India. I’ll try to give a heads up for this and other Bangkok events in the future. I also hope that there will be many more Indian festivals celebrated here in Thailand. The cultures of Thailand and India are very similar as we pointed out in our exhibit “A 180° Look At The Parallels in Thai and Indian Culture” this past February at the Thai-Indian Fun Fair 2018, where a good time was had by all who attended.
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Blog : Thai by Apisatha Hussadee Giunca
Blog : English by George Edward Giunca
About the Authors
Photographer George Edward Giunca, and his Thai wife, Apisatha, have traveled around Thailand armed with a circular fisheye lens to create a photo essay on the rich cultural diversity, and abundant natural beauty of the Kingdom of Thailand. Fleeing from angry water buffaloes, slapping huge mosquitoes, watching exotic festivals and religious rituals, gorging on delicious spicy food, applying aloe vera cream to sunburned skin, wading through rice paddies, getting drenched to the bone by heavy monsoon rains, and gawking at breath-taking scenery; made it a journey of epic proportions! The result is the book, THAILAND 180º. Later, they traveled extensively through Myanmar, Malaysia, and India, gathering a massive collections of 180º photos.
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Here’s How to Order Your Copy of THAILAND 180º Collectors EditionToday!
In Thailand —>>>http://www.thailand180.com/thaiorder.html
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Not Familiar with Our Book???
This show details the origin of 180 Books, a series of art/travel books illustrated with a circular fisheye lens. By using infographics, pictures from our THAILAND 180º book, and never seen before images from our vault, we’ll demonstrate this unique lens and present our unique books.
Also, because there’s nothing to watch on TV, here’s a trailer about our book, “THAILAND 180”
Above is an interactive map of Thailand. If you click on a marker it reveals a photo from our THAILAND 180º book and a link to our blog article about the photo. Go Ahead~ Start Exploring ~Have Some Fun!
