Thailand is known for its diversity when it comes to people, places and culture. Home to more than a few nationalities, it is one of the countries also having a high expatriate population. The national calendar entertains many public holidays with religious significance.
Buddhist Lent Day falls on the first day of the Esala Full Moon. Its significance is that the monks must refrain from traveling, stay indoors, preach to the lay and young monks and engage in meditations and discourses. During this time lay followers must abstain from engaging in bad behavior such as drinking alcohol and must observe the 8 precepts and meditate on the Dhamma discoursed at the temples.
On this day, followers celebrate the arrival of the period of Lent by presenting candles to the monks. This is done through a candle procession, like the famous Ubon Ratchathani Candle procession. Over the years candle processions have become more elaborate and colourful, with large floats that move in the candle procession; holding big, beautiful carved wax figures capturing dragons in flight and traditional Thai dancers.
Various carved, moulded and ancient candles can be viewed in the parade. These are made by local craftsman using only beeswax. It is a craft that has been turned into a traditional art form and a lot of hard work goes into it as they are made entirely by hand using just a set of tools. If you are hanging around for the celebrations of the day of lent then it would serve you well to go visit some of these artist in the process of crafting these unique candles prior to the day of the parade.
Following the candle procession, the candles are given to the temples. Apart from offering candles Buddhist devotees also offer food and yellow robes to the monks.
If you are looking for a place to stay in privacy, comfort and convenience, taking in the atmosphere of the processions and other activities that go on during Buddhist Lent Day, why not try the Grand President Bangkok, down famous Sukhumvit Road? This
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