(For Buddhist Lent festivals: see related stories below)

As the seasonal monsoon rains descend over the kingdom, it heralds the beginning of the 'rain retreat'. Khao Phansa marks the beginning of the Buddhist Lent or 'Phansa', a time during which all Buddhist monks retreat to the temples to study and meditate. This is also the most auspicious time for Buddhist ordinations as it marks a period of spiritual renewal.

This is the traditional time of the year for young men to enter the monkhood for the rainy season. 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 was done to prevent monks from trampling upon rice paddies when they ventured out to receive offerings from the villagers.

During this time, Buddhists visit the temples to offer various kinds of foods and equipment, such as candles, lanterns and fuels, indispensable to the monks during their 3 month-long Lent. This kind of offering is recognized as one of the most benevolent merit-makings in Buddhist belief because it enhances the monks' chances of enlightenment.

Buddhism, Buddhist traditions and beliefs are central forces that shape the local way of life and give rise to various festivals of religious origin which have been observed for generations. For example, the majority of the Buddhist ordinations take place during the Buddhist Lent when young novices enter the monkhood.

Villagers also actively engage in merit-making during this period. Items that provide light such as candles, lanterns and lamp oil are deemed to be particularly important offerings as it is believed that they provide monks with illumination physically and spiritually.

Many of these traditions have evolved into full-scale festivals featured in the Buddhist calendar and the kingdom's official calendar of festivals and events such as 'The Candle Festival' of Ubon Ratchathani province, which features a procession of ornately-carved beeswax candles of various shapes and sizes, and the 'Tak Bat Dok Mai' floral offering merit-making ritual that is unique to Saraburi province.

For further info, contact The Tourism Authority of Thailand,

Tel: 0-2250 5500, Fax: 0 2250 5511.

For event info inside Thailand; please dial 1672.

Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)