Ceremonies to collect sacred water from holy water sources were conducted on Thursday nationwide, as part of the celebrations honoring His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday on July 28, 2024.
Following this, each province will consecrate the holy water on July 7. The sacred water vessels will then be brought to Bangkok for safekeeping at the Ministry of Interior.
On July 25, a procession will transport the sacred water to Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm (Wat Pho) for a consecration ceremony. Subsequently, on July 28, the holy water will be carried from Wat Pho to Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall in the Grand Palace and presented to His Majesty the King on his birthday.
At Wat Toom (Royal Temple) in Ayutthaya, the Governor presided over the sacred water collection ceremony. Water was collected from the holy source within the head of the revered Luang Por Thong Sook Samrit Buddha statue. Locals consider this water sacred as it seeps out constantly and remains clear and pure. Additionally, water was drawn from the sacred pond at Wat Toom, historically used for blessing war weapons since the Ayutthaya period.
In the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, the Governor led a procession on a three-kilometer walk into Khao Yai National Park to the source of the Lam Takhong River to perform the sacred water collection ceremony. The water was placed in a ceremonial bowl, carried out of the forest on a palanquin, and followed by a procession to Thao Suranari Monument Square and through the Chumphon Gate.
In the northern province of Chiang Mai, the Governor led the ceremony at the sacred well at Wat Buppharam in Mueang District, an ancient well over 500 years old. Sacred water was also collected from two other water wells – Ang Ka Luang on Doi Inthanon and Khun Nam Mae Ping in Chiang Dao District. The collected water will be used to prepare holy water.
In the southern province of Ranong, the Governor conducted the sacred water collection ceremony at Raksawarin Hot Springs, the only hot spring in Thailand free from sulfur contamination. The water was collected, placed in a ceremonial bowl, and transported in a procession to Wat Suwannakiri Wihan (Royal Temple) for the consecration ceremony. (TNA)
