I have to admit I do love all things Indian, the smells, the tastes, the colors, the imagination put into the symbols and the gods. It is fun. Culture should be fun.

One of the advantages of living in Bangkok is that the Indian community is big and active, giving a passing traveler a rare opportunity to glimpse into the wonder of a real Indian celebration, a small slice of culture with all the joy it brings with it.

At Divali, the ‘celebration of lights’ we get a double portion of an Indian festival as the streets around the famous Indian temple in silom close for traffic and thousands of worshipers come to celebrate.

Well, celebrate and eat. As a big fan of Indian food, and as a vegetarian, these festivals are a culinary delight, a heaven of small experimentations, of exotic spices, of fresh spicy healthy food.