Pattaya’s devout got a chance to sprinkle holy water on Buddhist relics from the Sanctuary of Truth during a Songkran Day parade through the city.
The nine relics came from the Busabok Stupa, which stands in the Sanctuary of Truth’s central hall. Taken once a year from the high perch where they were placed in April 2009 by the late Supreme Patriarch, they are put on flower-laden floats every April 13 and carried to five stops in Banglamung District.
Organized by the sanctuary, city hall, the Chonburi Monk’s Committee, Chonburi National Office of Buddhism and Buddhist Association of Chonburi, the parade gives residents and tourists an opportunity to pour holy water the relics on Songkran Day to wish for prosperity and increase one’s glory leading to success according to Buddhism beliefs.
The 40-vehicle parade took a long route throughout the entire Naklua-Pattaya-Jomtien area beginning at 7 a.m. at the Sanctuary of Truth. The procession moved to Chonglom Temple, the Pattaya Floating Market, Chaimongkol Temple and the intersection of Central and Beach Roads where the relics were kept in front of a portrait of HM the late King until 4:30 p.m. when they were returned to the Sanctuary of Truth.