VISAKA PUJA DAY PROCESSION
& Buddhist Merit-Making Rituals
May 16-22, 2005

The Visakha Puja religious ceremony marks the birth, enlightenment, and death of Lord Buddha and is the holiest of all the auspicious Buddhist events. All over the country, Thais visit the temples to listen to sermons by revered monks and make merit. Shortly after sunset, candlelit circumambulations take place around major temples.
While the ritual is observed at temples throughout the country, Visakha Puja which will be held at the Wat Phra Borommathat Doi Suthep hill-top temple presents an opportunity to witness more elaborate aspects of this ancient Buddhist tradition.

Wat Phra Borommathat Doi Suthep was built in 1383 A.D., and is the home of a large golden pagoda which contains the holy relics of the Lord Buddha. Considered to be a sacred spot, devout Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world congregate annually to pay homage to the holy relics.

The Visakha Puja Day Procession
On Visakha Puja Day, lustral water blessed in a religious ceremony presided over by His Majesty the King and other sacred offerings are conveyed to the Wat Phra Borommathat Doi Suthep Temple in a procession. The items of worship are transported in a specially-constructed traditional Thai-style throne known as a "busbok". This is a pavilion-like wooden structure with a multi-tiered roof used only for kings and objects of veneration.

On the eve of Visakha Puja Day, the procession departs from the Larn Kruba Srivijaya courtyard at 21.00 and makes it way along Srivijaya Road leading uphill to Wat Phra Borommathat Doi Suthep. The total journey takes approximately 9 hours in total.

Although the procession is of religious significance, the awesome spectacle of the Lanna lanterns glowing in the dark along the route leading up Doi Suthep to the temple is a remarkable aspect of Thai and Lanna cultural traditions to witness. There are six stops en route.

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