| Hae Pha Khuen
That Festival is celebrated at Phra Borom That
Chedi. The pagoda is considered to be the representative
of Lord Buddha and is believed by locals to possess
unsurpassed might of righteousness as it contains holy
relics. Every year Buddhists pay homage to the pagoda
by organizing a procession bearing a religious cloth
to wrap around the pagoda to bring good fortune and
success. This festival is held twice a year during Makha
Bucha Day (the 15th full-moon night of February) and
Visakha Bucha Day (the 15th full-moon night of May).
Festival of the Tenth Lunar
Month is a grand event of the province and
of southern Thailand. This festival is held from the
1st waning-moon night to the 15th waning-moon night
every September. It is held to pay respect to deceased
ancestors. According to Buddhism beliefs, the dead had
many sins and was sent to hell to become a demon. The
demons are allowed to come up to meet their relatives
for 15 days in September, but must return to hell before
sunrise of the 15th day. The living try to appease the
spirits by taking food to temples to make merit. Beginning
on the 13th day, people will go shopping for food to
be given. The 14th day is spent preparing and decorating
the food tray, and the 15th day is the actual merit-making
day. The tray presented nowadays has elaborate designs
but still retains traditional components. Contests to
find the most beautiful tray are held. A magnificent
procession proceeds along Ratchadamnoen Road on the
14th day.
Chak Phra or Lak Phra Festival
is influenced by Indian culture, which expanded
into the province a long time ago. The festival signifies
the joy that people had when Lord Buddha returned from
a star and the Lord was invited to sit on a throne and
carried to a palace. In practice, locals would bear
a Buddha image holding a bowl in a procession around
the city. This is a great way for escape from daily
routine and it is a fun competition to find who is the
most religious. Held in October, the festival is preceded
by activities 7 days before, such as beating drums,
playing castanets and decorating the ceremonial throne
for the image. The actual ceremony is usually held only
on the last day of the Buddhist Lent. People would take
the image from the temple in the morning and proceed
to Benchama Rachuthit School in Amphoe Muang. This is
also done in front of Ron Phibun district office. In
addition, there is a water-borne procession on Pak Phanang
River in Pak Phanang, which coincides with an annual
boat race for a trophy from the Crown Princess.
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