In my mind, long weekend holidays are very scarce; therefore I usually reserve them for traveling. But for this year, I can’t even believe it myself that I have no trip for this long weekend. So on the last minute this morning, I called my friends and though there are only two of us available, a trip to Saraburi for “Tak Bat Dok Mai Festival” (ตักบาตรดอกไม้) sounds good to us.
Our first stop is to have lunch at “Khao Kang Ban Suan” eateries (ร้านข้าวแกงบ้านสวน).
Next is Wat Phra Phutthabat in Saraburi Province.
The parade are prepared for this occasion.
Too bad that it rains so heavy that I can’t take as many pictures as I want.
“Dok Khao Pansa” (Globba winiti)
From the
buddhistchannel website:
The temple is located in Tumbon Khun Khlon, Saraburi - 108 kilometres north of Bangkok, famous for its limestone cliffs and mountains. As Phra Phutthabat is also famous for the footprint of Lord Buddha, local residents see the flowers as a perfect offering when paying homage to the sacred footprint and mark the beginning of annual monk retreat (lent season). The practice has kept an old tradition alive.
In the afternoon, Buddhists bring hong hern and other flowers for another round of merit-making. Villagers stand in long lines on both sides of the path leading the stairs of Wat Phra Phutthabat temple which houses the sacred footprint.
More than 100 monks and novices then walk in line to receive the flowers in their alm bowls and walk up the stairs to pay homage to the footprint.
