Visaka Puja Day Procession & Buddhist Merit-making Rituals

[Jai Dee]

VISAKA PUJA DAY PROCESSION

& Buddhist Merit-Making Rituals

May 12, 2006

The Visakha Puja religious ceremony marks the birth, enlightenment, and death of Lord Buddha and is the holiest of all the auspicious Buddhist events. All over the country, Thais visit the temples to listen to sermons by revered monks and make merit. Shortly after sunset, candlelit circumambulations take place around major temples.

While the ritual is observed at temples throughout the country, Visakha Puja which will be held at the Wat Phra Borommathat Doi Suthep hill-top temple presents an opportunity to witness more elaborate aspects of this ancient Buddhist tradition.

Wat Phra Borommathat Doi Suthep was built in 1383 A.D., and is the home of a large golden pagoda which contains the holy relics of the Lord Buddha. Considered to be a sacred spot, devout Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world congregate annually to pay homage to the holy relics.

The Visakha Puja Day Procession

On Visakha Puja Day, lustral water blessed in a religious ceremony presided over by His Majesty the King and other sacred offerings are conveyed to the Wat Phra Borommathat Doi Suthep Temple in a procession. The items of worship are transported in a specially-constructed traditional Thai-style throne known as a "busbok". This is a pavilion-like wooden structure with a multi-tiered roof used only for kings and objects of veneration.

On the eve of Visakha Puja Day, the procession departs from the Larn Kruba Srivijaya courtyard at 21.00 and makes it way along Srivijaya Road leading uphill to Wat Phra Borommathat Doi Suthep. The total journey takes approximately 9 hours in total.

Although the procession is of religious significance, the awesome spectacle of the Lanna lanterns glowing in the dark along the route leading up Doi Suthep to the temple is a remarkable aspect of Thai and Lanna cultural traditions to witness. There are six stops en route.

TAT Northern Office - Region 1

Tel: +66 (0)5324 8604, (0) 5324 8607, (0) 5324 1466

Fax: +66 (0)5324 8605

E-mail: [email protected]

Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand News Room - Tuesday, April 18, 2006

[Jai Dee]

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is probably Chiang Mai's most important site for visitors, and certainly its most visible. Wat Phra Borommathat Doi Suthep nestles into the side of Doi Suthep some 3,000 feet above sea level amongst some of the most picturesque scenery you are likely to encounter. Built by King Gue-Na in 1383, the temple houses a large copper-plate Chedi (twenty-two meters high) that is covered in gold and contains holy relics of the Lord Buddha.

As well as being a key tourism destination, the temple has considerable importance and Buddhist pilgrims visit the site all year round. The temple has four chapels and an important golden Buddha image is found at the temple. To get to there you either walk up a staircase (around 300 steps) or use a cable car.

Details: The cost of the cable car to the temple is 40 Baht. Admission is free but a donation of 20 Baht is suggested. The temple opens daily from 07:00 to 17:00 and it is a very popular destination so you can expect crowds during the day.

How to get there: Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is 15 kilometers from Chuang Mai. Probably the easiest way to get there is one of the numerous Songtaew buses that regularly leave the city for the temple from the market at the corner of Chotana Road and Manneenopparat Road (outside Changpuak Gate) at a cost of 60 Baht (35 Baht up to the temple and 25 Baht back. A number of tours also leave the city at a cost of around 600 Baht to 1,000 Baht.

Source: discoverythailand.com