Festivals in Thailand – Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival 2010
Festivals in Thailand – Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival 2010
Organised to mark the begining of Buddhist Lent ( Khao Phansa) in July, the event is considered Ubon’s biggest religious function. As the seasonal monsoon rains descend over the kingdom, it marks the beginning of the Buddhist “rain retreat” and the Buddhist Lent, or “Phansa“, during which all Buddhist monks retreat to the temples. This year’s Candle Festival is held in Thung Si Muang Park and National Museum, Ubon Ratchathani province from 1 July 2010 to 31 July 2010. The highlight of the festival is a Candle Parade held on 27 July 2010 which reflects the devout belief in Buddhism, time-honoured traditions and rituals associated with.
A traditional banana-leaf candle float (Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival 2010)
Contemporary Candle Float (Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival 2010)
The Buddhist Lent is a time devoted to study and meditation. Buddhist monks remain within the temple grounds and do not venture out for a period of three months starting from the first day of the waning moon of the eighth lunar month (in July) to the fifteenth day of the waxing moon of the eleventh lunar month (in October).
The Royal Candle sent by HM the King of Thailand (Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival 2010)
Orginated in the reign of King Rama V, intricately carved candles from several temples are entered for a competition. They are put in beautifully decorated floats. It is said that the first candle floats were made around 1927.
Ubon Ratchathani is a town of beautiful women
Traditional northeastern Thai costumes are worn by lovely girls and beauty queens adorn the floats
The Candle Festival of Ubon Ratchathani province, which features a procession of ornately-carved beeswax candles of various shapes and sizes. You will see countless examples of some of the most ornate candles on the planet, all produced for donation to local temples. Since 1977, the Festival has become a major destination for tourists both local and overseas.
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The Grandest Festival of Ubon Ratchathani
