Posted by EugeneTang on Aug 23, 2010 in
Thailand 
Paper offerings – Thailand Hungry Ghost Festival
Do you know that the Hungry Ghost Festival or Zhong Yuan (Por Toh) Festival is an important merit-making event for the ethnic Chinese in Thailand. Since ancient times, the Chinese believe that the gates of hell are open between the 1st and 30th day of the Chinese lunar 7th month. During this period hungry ghost are allowed to wander on earth to look for food. People made offerings to the ghost in the form of special food, flowers, paper money and candles to please the beings. All the Chinese Shrines in Thailand have their own Hungry Ghost Festival celebrations.
Food offerings (Thailand Hungry Ghost Festival)
This year, the Hungry Ghost Festival starts from August 10th and ends on September 7th. The festival celebration is underway in Poh Teck Tung Foundation, the place where people go to donate coffins located in Bangkok’s Chinatown (Yaowarat). It is interesting to note what do people donate to accuminate good Karma for present and next life:
Offerings at Poh Teck Tung Foundation at Yaowarat (Thailand Hungry Ghost Festival)
- Straw hat symbolising a house for your next life
- Rice symbolising that you will always have abundant food to eat
- Noodle symbolising long live
The Hungry Ghost Festival is an annual ritual that iscelebrated by many people in the world. Today is the 15th day of the 7th lunar month. Have you make your offerings???
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Tags: Around Bangkok, Bangkok's Chinatown: Yaowarat, Culture and Traditions, Events and Festivals, Poh Teck Tung Foundation, Thailand Hungry Ghost Festival, Yaowarat
Posted by EugeneTang on Jul 29, 2010 in
Thailand 
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.
More photos posted on Eugene Goes Thailand Facebook
The Grandest Festival of Ubon Ratchathani
Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival 2010
Tags: Around Ubon Ratchathani, Buddhist Lent, Culture and Traditions, Events and Festivals, Khao Phansa, TAT News and Event, Ubon Ratchani Candle Festival, Ubon Ratchathani
