Pleasing the gods!

I was on my scooter when I heard the banging. Immediately I suspected a temple ceremony and looked around for the source. And there it was. Huge puppets were worn as costumes and paraded through the streets.


The costumes were very colorful and match the average temple in color and design. I followed the procession along with the hired carriers and spectators.


Two young men had spiked sticks in their hands and they repeatedly hit their heads as they followed, so that blood was streaming down their faces onto their torsos.


The local participants were guided in the ritual by older people who seemed to be there especially for that reason. On a pickup in front of the temple a band was executing the temple sounds on their instruments.


The spectators and participants were all extremely friendly and even asked to be photographed.

Mock fighting ensued between the different characters and eventually everyone arrived at the small temple among the houses in a narrow alley. Incense was burned and an evil spirit exorcised while drums were chiming a steady rhythm.


Then it was a quick light meal for all, and the hired temple throng was off by bus to the next one. As this procession happened in the morning hours everything was done rather faster than it would be in the afternoon going towards evening I suspect.