The
Bathing of Phra Buddha Mahadhamaracha Festival
or Um Phra Dam Nam Ceremony
This event is annually held on the fifteenth
day of the waning moon in the 10th lunar month
or during the Sat Thai period, in September.
Phra Buddha Mahadhamaracha is a highly revered
ancient Buddha image of Phetchabun. The image
was found in the Pasak River by a group of
farmers four hundred years ago and it was
then taken to be housed in Wat Trai Phum.
According to a legend, the Buddha image was
disappeared twice from the temple and was
later found in water. It was said that the
Buddha image itself had wandered out of the
temple. Therefore, the ritual bathing ceremony
is held. The ceremony starts at 1 p.m. The
image is carried around town and put under
a tent in Wat Trai Phum, so Buddhists can
pay respect to it and stick gold leaf on its
body. In the evening, prayers are chanted.
At night, there are various kinds of entertainment.
The next morning, people make merit as it
is Sat Thai Day. Foods, including Krayasat,
and other necessities are given to monks.
The Buddha image is then taken to be immersed
in the Pasak River by the governor of Phetchabun
and traditional dances are performed to show
respect to it. After the ceremony, the water
in the river is regarded as sacred. As a result,
plople swim in it or take the water to drink
before the boat racing begins.
