Showing posts with label Buddhist Lent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Buddhist Lent. Show all posts

Saturday 30 September 2017

#Thailand - Nakhon Phanom Illuminated Boat Procession 2017


A raft of events marks the end of the rains in the border province of Nakhon Phanom

The Lai Reua Fai, Nakhon Phanom’s famous and mythological annual illuminated boat festival, is considered one of the Kingdom’s most spectacular cultural festivals to mark the end of Buddhist Lent, or Ok Phansa.

The Illuminated Boat Procession is held annually during the eleventh lunar month when Thai Buddhists in this northeastern province launch the Lai Reua Fai to float them down the Mekong River. Residents pay respect to the Lord Buddha and make offerings to mythical serpents (‘Naga’ in Thai) which supposedly reside in the mighty river and its many tributaries.

It is also believed that this ceremony washes sadness and life’s troubles down the river while also bringing good fortune to participants and believers.


 The local people of Nakhon Phanom gather together with Buddhist monks from each village temple to spectacularly decorate the boats and rafts weeks before the festival takes place. They then load them with food, flowers, incense sticks, candles and handmade lanterns. Once lit, these illuminated boats are then launched creating a spectacular visual spectacle as they float down the legendary Mekong River.

Highlights at this year’s Nakhon Phanom Illuminated Boat Procession Festival include:
-​ Daily Lai Reua Fai illuminated boat processions on the Mekong River. Visitors can view illuminated boats from around Nakhon Phanom, cultural performances, music and entertainment plus a walking street featuring local food and handicrafts over nine days.

-​ Historic Lai Reua Fai daily display at Wat Pho Sri temple
-​ Cultural performance paying respect to Phra That Phanom at Wat Phra That Phanom (5 October)

- ​Illuminated boat street procession at Nakhon Phanom Municipality (5 October)
- ​Lan Tawan Boek Fa music and cultural festival (5 October)
-​ Long boat racing at Wat Phra In Plaeng from 2 to 4 October
- ​Lan Phanom Naga local food fair from 30 September to 2 October
- ​Tak Bat Devo Festival at Lan Phanom Naga (6 October)

Source - TheNation

Sunday 24 September 2017

Get into the excitement of #Thailand’s very own boat races


Don’t miss Saraburi’s traditional boat races to mark the end of the rainy season

The Saraburi Long Boat Race Festival, an ancient cultural event that dates to the golden age of Thailand’s Ayutthaya era, is held to mark the end of Buddhist Lent, or Ok Phansa.
The long boat race competition comprises three categories including longboat race with rowers numbering not more than 55, 40 and 30, respectively.

Apart from joining the fun-filled traditional Saraburi Long Boat Race Festival, visitors are encouraged to visit numerous historical attractions nearby. These include a golden Buddha image from the Ayutthaya period at Wat Payao, beautiful mural paintings depicting famous ancient folklore ‘Kavee’, and paying respect to the revered Buddha image at Wat Samuhapradittharam.

 
Visitors are also invited to view weaving demonstrations at Ban Ton Tarn Cloth Weaving Learning Centre to learn first-hand how local Thai handicrafts are made.

The festival is held on September 23-24, 2017 at the Pasak River in Saohai district, Saraburi.



Source - TheNation