BANGKOK, 31 July 2012 – Several provinces throughout the country have begun to organize the Buddhist Lent candle parades for the procession on August 2nd.
The candle festival is a tradition marking the Buddhist Lent, which for this year falls on August 3rd. The festival features a procession of ornately-carved beeswax candles of various shapes and sizes; parades will take place in many provinces throughout Thailand.
In Prachinburi, the candle procession will be launched in waterway, to follow the route that His Majesty King Chulalongkorn, or King Rama V, took in the past. The procession will go along the river and the candles will be presented to nine temples located on the river banks in the province
Meanwhile, sculptors, monks, novices, and the locals in Nakhon Ratchasima have joined hands carving the candles for competition in the Buddhist Lent event, which will be held from August 2-4. Seventy-three temples in the province are preparing to send their best candles in for the competition.
And in Chaiyaphum, locals have decorated the candles for parades. The candles have been carved with an emphasis on celebrating His Majesty the King’s 85th birthday anniversary on December 5th, 2012.
The Buddhist Lent, also called “Rains Retreat” or “Vassa”, starts on the first day of the waning moon of the eighth lunar month, which is one day after Asalaha Bucha Day. It is the traditional retreat during the rainy season lasting 3 lunar months, from July to October.
