The Significance of Crafted Candles as
Buddhist Lent Merit-Making Offerings
As the seasonal monsoon rains descend over the kingdom, it marks the beginning of the Buddhist "rain retreat" and the Buddhist Lent, or "Phansa", during which all Buddhist monks retreat to the temples. This is also an auspicious time for Buddhist ordinations as it marks a period of spiritual renewal.

Known as "Khao Phansa", the Buddhist Lent is a time devoted to study and meditation. Buddhist monks remain within the temple grounds and do not venture out for a period of three months starting from the first day of the waning moon of the eighth lunar month (in July) to the fifteenth day of the waxing moon of the eleventh lunar month (in October). In former times, this is done to prevent monks from trampling upon rice paddies when they venture out to receive offerings from the villagers.

Villagers thus actively engage in merit-making during the Buddhist Lent, visiting temples to make offerings of food and items for daily use. The presentation of items that provide light, such as candles, lanterns and lamp oil, is deemed to be particularly important as these facilitate the study of holy scriptures and meditation by providing illumination to the monks, physically and spiritually.

Buddhism, Buddhist traditions and beliefs are central forces that shape the local way of life. Various festivals of religious origin have been observed for generations and have evolved into full-scale festivals featured in the Buddhist calendar and the kingdom's official calendar of festivals and events. The Candle Festival of Ubon Ratchathani province features a procession of ornately-carved traditional beeswax candles of various shapes and sizes.

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

	VISITS TO CANDLE-CRAFTING COMMUNITIES OF UBON RATCHATHANI Wat Thung Sri Muang community Wat Bupharam community Wat Sri Pra Ku community Wat That Nong Bua community Wat Nong Pla Paak community Prathum Vittayakarn School (Nong Katok) Baan Kum Pun Weaving Village These seven specially selected candle-making temple communities are noted for their hand-crafted traditional beeswax candles. Visits to each will provide interesting insights into an ancient artistic tradition and local culture. Watch the local artisans meticulously at work in a natural setting. Candles featured in the Buddhist Lentern candle procession generally consist of crafted candles, moulded candles and ancient candles. The candle-crafting tool set consists of knives, chisels, metal hooks of various shapes and sizes and paint brushes. The process of moulding candles is similar to the crafting process except the candle-maker initially casts smaller-sized candles which he or she then moulds together into a larger beeswax candle structure. Superior quality beeswax is used to mould candles and only the very finest quality beeswax is used for crafting ornamental candles.
	CANDLE EXHIBITION An exhibition of Lenten Candles at Thung Sri Muang Park featuring crafted candles, moulded candles and ancient candles. CANDLE CRAFTING The beeswax candles of Ubon Ratchathani province generally fall into one of four types — candles on a square structure or Mondop, a beeswax castle or Prasat pueng, candles that form a cone-shaped structure called Poom and candles that are tied together, Mat Ruam.
	Mandapa-shaped Candles (Mondop) A mondop or mandapa is a structural form with a square base and a spired or pyramidal roof. Mondop candles are used as a receptacle to hold sacred offerings which are brought to temples during the ‘kathin’ season when monk robes are presented as offerings. Mandapa-shaped candles are used only for worship; they are not lit.       Beeswax Candle Castle (Prasat Pueng) The beeswax candle castle is one of the elements of Buddhist merit-making rituals. These are also used in ancestor worship rituals to dedicate merit to ancestors. The beeswax ‘castle’ is also sometimes featured in propitiation rituals. However the use of the trunk of a banana tree, parts of which are folded into triangular-shapes, is preferred. Taro, turnip or sweet potato are sometimes carved into the floral shapes and dipped into heated beeswax, left to dry and used to decorate the banana tree.       Cone-Shaped (Poom) Smaller candles are bonded together to form a cone-shaped structure. They serve a decorative purpose and are used to adorn the main candle. These are then presented as merit-making offerings.       Candles that are tied together (Mat Ruam) Smaller candles are simply tied together into a bunch before they are presented as merit-making offerings. The cone-shaped poom and mat ruam candles are similar. Both reflect the ingenuity of villagers in creating a variety of ways to adorn their candle offerings.
	THE GRAND CANDLE PROCESSION The magnificent Grand Candle Procession will comprise 20 different candle processions, led by the Procession of the Royal Candle. Processions of 69 Lenten candles follow. Sixty of the candles are crafted or moulded candles and ancient candles crafted by the various communities of Ubon Ratchathani province. Nine are masterpieces created by candle artisans in the International Candle-Carving Competition. Presentations of I-San folk culture by some 2,000 performers add a colourful aspect to the festival.
	Youth Candle Carving Contests and Provincial Candle Carving Contests will also be held in separate categories as part of the Ubon Ratchathani Grand Candle Festival.
	Presentations of I-San folk art and culture
	OTOP FAIR Each of the sub-districts or tambon of Ubon Ratchathani province are famous for locally grown or hand-crafted products considered to be unique to the area. These are brought together at the One Tambon One Product or OTOP Fair, offering a convenient opportunity for one-stop shopping for a vast range of souvenirs and local products.
	MEKONG FOOD FAIR with delicacies from countries bordering the Mekong River
	VISIT TO BAAN KUM PAN WEAVING VILLAGE Open House and Cultural activities Baan Kum Pun weaving village in the Warin Chamrap district of Ubon Ratchathani is famous for its ancient textiles and hand-crafted traditional textiles with patterns and remarkable qualities that are entirely unique to the village. Browse the exhibits on display and enjoy weaving demonstrations.

Many of the festivals and events listed on Thailand's official calendar of annual events are traditional Buddhist or folk festivals, the date of which is either determined by the Buddhist lunar calendar and waxing and waning moon. These are not staged events. The festivals reflect the rhythm of life in rural Thai villages and local traditions as observed in times past. To ensure you have the most updated event date, please reconfirm details prior to travel.

Contact information:
TAT Northeastern Office: Region 2
Areas of responsibility: the provinces of Ubon Ratchathani, Amnat Charoen,
Si Sa Ket and Yasothon
Tel: 045 243770, 250714
Fax: 045 243771
E-mail: tatubon@tat.or.th