Former local politicians and top area monks cut the ribbon on the new Wihan Burapajan sanctuary at Nong Ket Yai Temple.
Former Culture Minister Sonthaya Kunplome joined ex-Pattaya City Council members, a former mayor and current members of the Chonburi Provincial Council at the March 8 ceremony that kicked off the temple’s annual festival, which ran through March 15.
Phomkawee, governor of Ecclesiastical Region 13, led a contingent of top monks including Panyarattanakorn, abbot of Pattaya’s Chaimongkol Temple, in the religious services.
Somkid Nongyai, who donated 5 million baht to build the sanctuary, was asked to light the candles and incense that started the ceremony to pray to the Triple Gems.
Chonburi Councilman Sakol Phonlookin then announced the start of the March 9-15 festival, which included gilding of the Luang Phu Techpanya and Luang Phor Supoj Supattro Buddha statues, processions and prayer ceremonies.
The main purpose of the annual festival, however, is to raise money, this time for renovation of the monks’ dormitory and landscaping.
