Candle Festival – stunning wax sculptures on parade
The Candle Festival (Khao Phansa) in Thailand is a unique festival held in July coinciding with the ‘Vassa’ ritual as well as ‘Asanha Bucha’ (also known as Asanha Puja).
Vassa ritual also known as Buddhist Lent is the time period when the Buddhist monks retreat into their monasteries and confine themselves during the 3 months of the rainy season, whereas Asanha Bucha is held in commemoration of Lord Buddha’s first sermon.
The Candle Festival is celebrated throughout Thailand where the spotlight is on the festival celebrated in the North Eastern Province of Ubon Ratchathani as well as Phra Phutthabat district in Saraburi Province.
A special parade takes place as a highlight of the Candle Festival, where large candles are carried through the city center towards the Wat (temple), where they are donated to the monks to use during the 3 month long ritual. The blessings invoked through this donation is said to bring good fortune to the donors.
The parade also includes massive wax sculptures carried on ornate floats, depicting various scenes from the Buddhist and Hindu mythology. These elaborately crafted candles are made of plaster or wood and are later coated with wax.
The day prior to the Asanha Bucha these sizable wax crafts are placed at Tung Sri Muang Park in downtown Ubon Ratchathani, to be decorated and exhibited on the same evening. If you visit the park, you can learn and observe first hand how these intricate sculptures are meticulously created by skilled local artisans.
Mini processions also take place at various temples during the evening while the key procession known as Wan Khao Phansa is held early next morning. These massive crafted candles will not be burned and are only used to add inspiration and charm for the festival.
This spectacular parade of the Candle Festival is accompanied by various dancers along with musicians in traditional costumes, representing their respective institution, where each temple has its own parade.
This is an event not to be missed, especially if you are an art enthusiast or if you are curious to know how intricate wax designs are made.
You can find many Bangkok hotel accommodations such as Bangkok President Solitaire to easily attend the festival. Many Bangkok hotel accommodations offer you modern conveniences and exclusive services and are located close to the shopping and dining hotspots in Bangkok, Thailand.
About the Author
Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.
Holiday Wax Seal Craft
|
|
Wilton Chocolate Pro Electric Melting Pot $23.17 WILTON-The Chocolate Pro Melting Pot. It’s easier than ever to melt large amounts of chocolate or confectionery coating! With the Chocolate Pro it takes only minutes! With this you will be able to mold lollipops and fancy dipped-center candies. Dip things like fruits; pretzels; cake; and so much more! Create flavored chocolate sauces for ice cream or silky ganache glaze to pour over cakes. Feature… |
|
|
Rubbermaid Keepers White Wrap’n Bag Organizer $8.49 Rather than take up valuable drawer space, why not store your wraps in a convenient rack inside a cabinet door? They will be neat, and accessible and you’ll have an extra drawer now to store something else…. |
|
|
FLORAL TAPE, DARK GREEN 1/2 WIDE $0.01 Floratape is the original self-sealing stem wrap for finishingcorsage and wedding bouquet stems, floral novelties, and silk or dried flowersand can provide a neutral or colorful finishing touch to creative and originalfloral work. This product has a crepe paper base which has been impregnated witha blend of proprietary waxes and polyolefins to give it its unique propertiesand characteristics. Flor… |
|
|
Beginning Candlemaking with Lillian and Shea VHS… |
|
|
SE Pick Set, 12Pc Stainless Steel Wax Carvers $9.77 Some uses for these instruments are: amateur and professional taxidermy; cleaning archaeological artifacts; uncovering and cleaning fossils and shells; woodworking and furniture refinishing; ceramics, mosaics and pottery work; wood and clay carving; soap and candle carving; computer and mechanical work; doll-making and repair; and much more!… |
|
|
SE Pottery Tool – 11 Pc Set $5.45 An 11-Piece Set of Pottery and Sculpture Tools ideal for any creative project. The tools are made of metal, with wood handles for an easy grip. Each tool has two shaped heads (one on each end) providing a variety of different carving shapes to give you more flexibility for your designs. They are ideal for detail work in carving, sculpture, and jewelry making. Design your prototype and create model… |
|
|
Quakehold! 33111 Museum Gel, Clear $9.79 Depending on where you live-and depending on where you keep the crystal-you may be in need of Quakehold!’s museum gel. Here’s how it works: simply pinch off a bit of the non-toxic gel and adhere it to the bottom of the object you want to secure, then place it on the shelf. The gel will hold it fast in the event of an earthquake. If you ever want to move the object to another location, simply twist… |
|
|
Homax 8 Oz Goo Gone GG12 $3.63 A plastic bottle of liquid adhesive that removes grease, gum, stickers, crayon and tape. Contains 8 fluid ounces. Has a citrus power smell. Danger: Combustible. Harmful or fatal if swallowed. Keep out of reach of children…. |
|
|
Sebastian Craft Clay Remoldable Matte Texturizer Unisex, 1.7 Ounce $12.00 Gives hair a touchable, matte finish with this texturizing craft clay. Helps you control & style short to medium hair. Work the texturizer through dry hair to change its texture, mold, separate & give a matte finish / rub it into your hair…. |
|
|
Dixie Kabnet Wax Dry Wax Paper Deli Wrap 12 x 10.75 – 2/500 ct. $14.99 OverviewThe original interfolded deli wrap.SpecificationsHeavyweight Premium Microwave safe Wet strength added Grease resistant For your most demanding deli food service and meat counter needs 2/500 ct. boxes… |