Nongprue Sub-district employees enjoyed the Songkran holiday by building sand pagodas at Sutawas Temple.
The Sand Pagoda Festival has been a religious tradition in the Thai culture for centuries. It’s usually held during the Thai New Year and highlights teamwork by residents who work together to build the pagodas.
In the course of a year, a lot of sand is taken away from temples on the bottom of people’s shoes. So once a year, local people are invited to bring back some of the sand and use it to create pagodas to be used in religious ceremonies.
Nongprue Deputy Mayor Enake Pathanangam stands by a winning entry.
The sand pagodas were decorated with materials commonly found in the community, like colorful flowers, bamboo twigs and hardened powder.
Tradition says such activities bring civility to villages, the community and surrounding areas.
The atmosphere at Sutawas Temple was friendly and harmonious as local residents worked to create beautiful pagodas decorated with flowers. It was also a family reunion day while family members and close relatives getting together to join the sand-building.
People are hard at work, designing their pagodas.
Residents of Nongprue get together for the Sand Pagoda Festival 2015.
Sand pagodas are lined up for all to see.
