Asalaha Puja
Asalaha Puja, on the night of the full moon in July, is the third most important Buddhist holiday and marks the occasion when Buddha preached to his first five disciples. Tradition says that Buddha was approached by farmers, who asked that he bar monks from going on their morning rounds for a period of three months because they were trampling on the rice shoots they had just planted. They offered instead to take food to the monks at the temple during this period and the practice has continued ever since. Evening candlelit processions are staged in all temples.
Khao Phansa
Khao Phansa is celebrated immediately following Asalaha Bucha and marks the commencement of the annual three-month Rains Retreat, when Buddhist monks customarily stay inside their monasteries to study and mediate. Phansa is the most auspicious time for Buddhist ordinations since it comprises a period of renewed a spiritual vigor.
Tak Bat Dok Mai Festival—Wat Phra Phutthabat Ratchaworamaha Wihan—Saraburi
The Tak Bat Dok
Mai ritual includes offerings of Dok Khao Phansa flowers that only come into
bloom during the Buddhist Lent. The Dok Khao Phansa is the yellow flowers
with smaller violet petals. However, as the Dok Khao Phansa becomes an
increasingly rare find these days, lotus, jasmine and rose have become
acceptable alternatives for these floral offerings.
In preparation for the "Tak Bat Dok Mai" merit-making ritual, Buddhist
devotees line up along both sides of the street forming a long line that
extends from the "mondop" or seven-tiered temple spire and trails back along
the streets. This forms a passage along which hundreds of monks and novices
file past to accept sacred offerings.
The monks then ascend to the Shrine of the Holy Footprint where the
offerings received are in turn presented as a tribute to the Lord Buddha.
Once the ritual has been completed, the Buddhist devotees pour water over
the feet of the monks and novices in the belief that in doing so, the sins
of the worshippers are washed away.
Phi Ta Khon Festival—Loei
Phi Ta Khon festival reflects the local Isan belief in ghosts and spirits. Held once a year in Dan Sai district in Loei Province. Part of the activities includes young men dressed up as "spirits" wearing long trailing costumes made from colorful strips of cloth sewn together.
The first day of the festival involves religious ceremonies performed at the temple while the second day is a parade of young men in hideous-looking Phi Ta Khon mask. The clanging sound of the square cowbells worn around the waist announces the presence of the spirits who wield phallic-shaped long-handled swords decorated with red paint. The good-natured, fun-loving spirits mingle among the crowd, teasing and amusing all who take part in the procession. Spectators and visitors are welcome to join in the fun made of dried sticky rice painted in bright colors.
The Candle Festival—Ubon Rachathani
The festival features a great candle procession which reflects the devout belief in Buddhism. The magnificent wax candles highlighted during the Candle Festival shows how local artists express their artistic talent and religious faith. With this lovely festival that displays artistic skills as well as piety, beautiful carved bee’s wax candles, some of them several meters tall, and are exhibited in colorful parades before being present to local temples.
