Candle Festival Ubon Ratchathani 2009
The Candle Festival is held each July in the North Eastern province Ubon Ratchathani to celebrate the beginning of Buddhist lent or Khao Phansa.
For the next three months of the rainy season, monks are required to dwell in the same temple, and traditionally big candles were given in the hope that they would provide light for the monks throughout the period of Khao Phansa.
Now, giant candles with elaborately carved scenes of Hindu and Buddhist mythology are sculpted in wood or plaster and coated with wax and then paraded through the city centre on floats, accompanied by dancers and musicians in traditional dress.
On the day before Buddhist Lent begins, Asanha Bucha Day, the candles are taken to Tung Sri Muang, a park in the middle of the city, where they are decorated and then exhibited in the evening. On the same evening, there are small processions with lighted candles at several temples. The main procession takes place early the following morning which, in Thai, is called Wan Khao Phansa.
This festival is one of the best in the Thai calendar and will provide great memories for you of your time in Thailand.
Candle Festival 3-Day Tour
Day One
Depart Bangkok at 06:00 and allowing for stops on the way we expect to arrive in Ubon around 3:00 in the afternoon.
Once you've checked-in to your hotel there'll be time for a few drinks before taking a stroll into Tung Sri Muang, where all the floats are parked up for the night. This is a great time for photos and after you'll be able to eat and drink in the local market.
Day Two
We'll have an early start this morning as the candle procession gets underway around 08:00. There are many floats and between each float there are dancers and bands will will ensure that you remain awake and give you lots of things to take piccies of.
After the procession is over we'll meet back at the pub for lunch and then take the van to Pha Taem National Park. This is about 100 kms from Ubon and is famous for its rock paintings which are reputed to be 3000 years old.
Tonight you can relax and celebrate because tomorrow you don't have to get up early.
Day Three
We plan to leave Ubon about 10:00 in the morning and depending on the traffic, we should be back in Bangkok somewhere around 7:00pm.
Tour Includes:
- Pick-up and return to your hotel
- Two nights accommodation with breakfast
- Lunch each day
- Entry fee to National Park
Tour Excludes:
- Dinner each night
- Beverages
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