Festival of candles in Ubon Ratchathani The versions of the most elaborate candles accompany scenes of Hindu and Buddhist mythology
The Ubon Ratchathani Sailing Festival is one of the most important festivals celebrated in the Northeast region of Thailand. In it by an old tradition are realized detailed candles of great size to be walked by the city in procession. History and origins
The origin of the festival is related to the beginning of the rainy season which also marks the period of religious spiritual retreat known as Khao Phansa (in Thai: เข้าพรรษา). The Buddhist monks had to stay in the usual local temple because with the rain began the rice planting season and if they walked during the night on the crops, they were lost. When the monks stopped traveling during this period, they were mainly engaged in studying the Dharma. In the past, for lack of electricity, they used to light candles as they read. This being known by the local people, they made candles to present in the temple and made especially the first day of the Khao Phansa. The Khao Phansa period begins on the first day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, and runs from July to Ork Phansa (Thai: ออกพรรษา) which was the first day of the tenth month of the lunar calendar. Giving candles to Buddhist monks on this day is already part of the ingrained traditions of Buddhism and Thai society. Nowadays
In the beginning, it was traditional to make a donation of articles for the monks. Candles lit up the parish houses of Buddhist monks and other temple sites. In the past, when it was impossible to go and buy prepared candles, the neighbors used beeswax to create them. Tradition in the past, did not include the parade or procession that takes place today. The procession and candle competition now held at Ubon Ratchathani came during the reign of Rama V. Since then it was and is the most important event in the city, as it has the largest number of participants residents and tourists. Giant sails parade around the city; each represents a time, district, or other topic. The versions of the most elaborate candles accompany scenes of Hindu and Buddhist mythology, carved in wood or plaster and covered with wax. These candles have never been burned and are carved two days before the procession.
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