Khao Phansa (Candle and wax Festival) Ubon Ratachatani Thailand
The construction of both the candle floats and the procession of the floats came into existence some time ago it is said that the first candle floats were made around 1927 The procession was made around the city and it was accompanied by the Cries of joy afterwards the floats were paraded to the respective temples originally the candle floats were carried by a throng of men However they were subsequently drawn by a herd of cows splendidly adomed with bells that rung to the rhythm The year 1952 saw the revival of ancient art of the candle carving and candle procession a contest ensured with two main categories of candle floats The first type was made with cansles bundledup and covered with color paper made in simple ornamental patterns The second was those with intricate filigrees made by attaching small configuration onto the candles Then in 1959 a more sophisticated art of filigrees and carved candles was developed After that such competitors focused on three types of candle floats the bundled candles with plain designs those with intricate filigrees and those with sophisticated patterns carved directly onto a solid piece of wax Subsequently the first category was left out From 1977 Ubon Ratchatani has organized the festival to celebrate the Buddhist Lent The festival has become a major destination for tourist both local and overseas The Khao Phansa (Candle Festival) marks the beginning of three months retreat that the Buddhist monks observe during the rainy season. During this time the monks remain confined within the monastery. Many young boys from traditional Buddhist families also enter monk hood for these three months and then returns to their domestic world. The Khao Phansa festival is celebrated nationwide, especially in Tung Si Muang, Ubon Ratchathani and the Phra Phutthabat. If you visit Thailand during the Candle Festival, you will find amazing sculptures made of wax that are taken out on the streets in a procession.
Size: 3581px × 5373px
Location: Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand, Asia
Photo credit: © Richard van Kesteren / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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