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