PROGRAMME
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To mark the end of Buddhist Lent or ‘Ok Pansa’, communities in Northeastern Thailand, or I-San, stage an annual celebration consisting of a grand procession of meticulously-carved wax castles, long-boat races, and illuminated boats by night, as well as other religious rituals and festive celebrations. On the final day of the traditional festival, which falls on the end of the Buddhist Lent, local residents make a trip to the temples to make merit.
Nong Khai province is best known for its intriguing Naga fireballs – the smokeless, scentless, soundless ruby orbs of light that rise out of the Mekong River and float silently into the darkness on the full moon night of the eleventh lunar month (October) – the final night of Buddhist Lent.
Given Nong Khai’s popularity with tourists during this time of the year, the provincial authorities jointly with the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Udon Thani office will be hosting festivities on a grand scale to mark the end of the Buddhist Lent.
The annual festivities and celebrations which will be held in the Nong Khai provincial centreduring October 1-7 will feature the following event highlights.
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Giant Krathong contests and exhibitions will be staged along the bank of the Mekong River from Wat Lamduan to Wat Sirimahakatjai. |
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Traditional wax castles, meticulously-carved by the artisans and craftsmen from the local village temples and communities, will be presented as Buddhist merit-making offerings. These are first entered into a competition. The ornate wax castles then form part of a grand procession that makes its way to Phra That Klang Nam, a sacred stupa on the Mekong River. |
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Delicious food and entertainment are central elements in all I-San celebrations. The ‘Food Street’ offers local cuisine from 6 – 11 p.m. daily during this week-long event. A great variety of dishes, such as grilled fish, spicy minced fish (miang pla, laab pla), are prepared with fish freshly caught from the Mekong River or raised in fisheries along the river. Stage performances create a lively ambience. |
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Invocation Rituals
October 4 marks the final night of the Buddhist Lent. The day begins with an early morning invocation ritual to pay respect to Mae Song Nang. This is followed by a mid-morning invocation ritual performed during 10.00 – 11.00 a.m. to pay respect to Phra That Klang Nam, a sacred stupa situated in the Mekong River. |
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Ok Pansa (end of the Buddhist Lent) traditional long-boat races are held throughout the day. |
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A light-and-sound presentation relates the legend of the Naga – the mythical Serpent King. This offer insight into the significance of the Naga in the traditional beliefs, culture and way of life of Northeastern Thailand. |
In traditional river-based communities which rely on the river as a source of food, harvesting fish and other marine life from the river and planting crops on the banks of the river in the dry season when the water level recedes, water is the essence of life.
In these riparian cultures, ritual offerings are made to Mae Khongkha — Mother of Waters in an act of appeasement to beg for her forgiveness for carelessness in polluting pristine waters — the source of all life; and the Naga — the mythical Serpent God associated with water that dwells in three realms: beneath the earth where it guards minerals and gems, in bodies of still and flowing water, and in the skies where it creates the rain which nourishes crops; and other celestial powers responsible for the gift of life revered by the I-San people.
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Illuminated boats and ‘krathong’ floats are both presented as ritual offerings. As night falls, candlelit floats are set adrift on the river in the ceremony known as Loi Krathong. Loi Krathong Sai, a unique variation of the traditional ‘krathong’ floats, can also be seen on the evening of 4 October. |
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Tak Baht Devorohana, a Buddhist merit-making ritual, is performed on 5 October, the final day of the festival. This marks the end of the Buddhist Lent. |
The Significance of ‘Ok Pansa’, the End of the Buddhist Lent
During his final incarnation and his seventh lent, in remembrance of his mother, Lord Buddha ascended to the heavens to deliver a sermon to his mother. There he resided throughout the entire period of the three-months Rains Retreat or the Buddhist Lent.
At the end of the Rains Retreat which falls on the first day of the waning moon of the eleventh lunar month, Lord Buddha returned to earth after teaching his mother in Thavatimsa heaven, descending by the Celestial Stairway comprising of the Silver, Gold and Crystal stairs.
Delighted by the news of Buddha's return to earth once again, Buddha's disciples and followers prepared to receive him with offerings of food and other sacred items being presented. ‘Tak Baht Devo’, the Buddhist merit-making ritual that is performed on the final day of the festival signals the end of the Buddhist Lent. The word 'Devo' originates from the word "Devorohana" and refers to Buddhist celebrations marking the special occasion of the return of the Lord Buddha to earth, as mentioned in ancient Buddhist tales.
Naga – The Serpent Rulers of Sky, Water and Earth
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PROGRAMME |
CELEBRATIONS TO MARK THE END OF BUDDHIST LENT
October 1 – 6, 2009
Nong Khai provincial centre |
1 – 6 October
19.00 – 22.00 |
Giant Krathong Contest and Exhibition
Along the bank of the Mekong River from Wat Lamduan to Wat
Sirimahakatjai |
1 – 7 October
18.00 – 23.00 |
Food Street offering local cuisine, many of which feature Vietnamese influence. A great variety of dishes, such as grilled fish, spicy minced fish (miang pla, laab pla), are prepared with fish freshly caught from the Mekong River or raised in fisheries along the river.
Stage performances
Along the embankment of the reservoir, from Wat Lamduan pier to Wat Sriboonrueang pier
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1 October |
| 18.00 – 23.00 |
Food Street and stage performances |
19.00 |
Opening ceremony followed by The Legend of the Naga light-and-sound presentation
Along the embankment near Wat Sriboonrueang pier |
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2 October |
19.00 |
Opening ceremony followed by The Legend of the Naga light-and-sound presentation
Along the embankment near Wat Lamduan
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Giant Krathong Contest and Exhibition
Along the bank of the Mekong River from Wat Lamduan to Wat Sirimahakatjai |
19.30 |
The Legend of the Naga, a light-and-sound presentation, is staged in an area next to Wat Lamduan temple. |
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3 October |
| 18.00 – 23.00 |
Food Street and Stage performances
Along the embankment of the reservoir, from Wat Lamduan pier to Wat Sriboonrueang pier |
| 19.00 |
Giant Krathong Contest and Exhibition
Along the bank of the Mekong River from Wat Lamduan to Wat Sirimahakatjai |
| 19.30 |
The Legend of the Naga, a light-and-sound presentation, is staged in an area next to Wat Lamduan temple. |
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| 4 October |
| 08.00 – 09.00 |
The Mae Song Nang invocation ritual is performed at Wat Hai Soke pier. |
| 09.00 – 18.00 |
Ok Pansa (end of the Buddhist Lent) Traditional long-boat race
From Wat Pho Chai to to Wat Sirimahakatjai
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| 10.00 – 11.00 |
An invocation ritual is performed to pay respect to the Phra That Klang Nam stupa situated in the Mekong River. |
| 08.00 – 16.30 |
Traditional Wax Castle Contest is staged in the Wat Hai Soke temple grounds.
Entries from various temples and local communities are judged. Following the contest, the meticulously-carved wax castles are displayed in a grand procession that makes its way to the Phra That Klang Nam stupa and presented as Buddhist merit-making offerings. |
| 18.00 |
Candlelit Loi Krathong floats are released around the municipal pier – Tha Nam Khet Tessaban |
| 19.00 |
Stage performances and contests are staged in an area next to Wat Lamduan temple. |
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Giant Krathong Contest and Exhibition
Along the bank of the Mekong River from Wat Lamduan to Wat Sirimahakatjai |
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Loi Krathong Sai, a unique variation of the traditional ‘krathong’ floats, are set adrift along the river-bank from Wat Mahachai pier onwards. |
| 18.00 – 23.00 |
Food Street and Stage performances
Along the embankment of the reservoir, from Wat Lamduan pier to Wat Sriboonrueang pier |
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| 5 October |
| 06.00 |
Tak Baht Devorohana, the Buddhist merit-making ritual that is performed on the final day of the festival and marks the end of the Buddhist Lent, can be seen along four routes.
- From Wat Sirimahakatjai to Wat Udommahawan
- From Wat Pho Chai to Wat Yot Kaeow
- From Wat Praditdhammakhun to Wat Sri Khun Mueang
- From Wat Sri Khun Mueang to Wat Chaiporn
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| 09.00 – 18.00 |
Ok Pansa Traditional long-boat races
From Wat Pho Chai pier to to Wat Sirimahakatjai pier
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| 19.00 |
Giant Krathong Contest and Exhibition
Along the bank of the Mekong River from Wat Lamduan to Wat Sirimahakatjai
Stage performances and contests are staged in an area next to Wat Lamduan temple.
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| 18.00 – 23.00 |
Food Street and Stage performances
Along the embankment of the reservoir, from Wat Lamduan pier to Wat Sriboonrueang pier |
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| 6 October |
| 09.00 – 18.00 |
Traditional Long-Boat Races Cheerleading Contest Along the bank of the Mekong River from Wat Paapraow to Wat Sirimahakatjai |
| 09.00 – 12.00 |
Ok Pansa Traditional long-boat races
From Wat Pho Chai pier to to Wat Sirimahakatjai pier
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| 14.00 – 16.30 |
Qualifying round of the traditional long-boat races
From Wat Pho Chai pier to to Wat Sirimahakatjai pier
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| 17.00 – 18.00 |
Final round of the Royal Trophy traditional long-boat races
This will be followed by the presentation of prizes to the winners in the various contests.
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| 19.00 |
Giant Krathong Contest and Exhibition
Along the bank of the Mekong River from Wat Lamduan to Wat Sirimahakatjai
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| 18.00 – 23.00 |
Food Street and Stage performances
Along the embankment of the reservoir, from Wat Lamduan pier to Wat Sriboonrueang pier |
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| 7 October |
| 18.00 – 23.00 |
Food Street and Stage performances
Along the embankment of the reservoir, from Wat Lamduan pier to Wat Sriboonrueang pier |
| 19.00 |
Final day of the Giant Krathong Contest and Exhibition
Along the bank of the Mekong River from Wat Lamduan to Wat Sirimahakatjai
Stage performances and contests are staged in an area next to Wat Lamduan temple.
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Contact information:
Tourism Authority of Thailand, Udon Thani Office
Tel: +66 (0) 4232 5406-7
Fax: +66 (0) 4232 5408
E-mail: tatudon@tat.or.th
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