The only one in the world, the traditional ceremony of carrying the Buddha underwater in Phetchabun Province has begun. The procession on land and water is magnificent and spectacular.
The tradition of carrying the Buddha underwater or the ceremony of inviting Phra Phuttha Maha Thammaracha, the sacred Buddha image of Phetchabun Province, to be poured into the water is a strange tradition and only one place in the world, which the people of Phetchabun have carried on since ancient times, for more than 400 years. It is scheduled to be held during the Thai Sarat Festival every year, which this year will be held from September 27 – October 6, 2024 for 10 days and 10 nights.
On the evening of October 1, 2024, Mr. Chanok Makphan, Deputy Governor of Phetchabun Province, acting as the Governor, invited Phra Phuttha Maha Thammaracha from Wat Traibhum to be enshrined on a royal chariot and paraded around Phetchabun Municipality for the public and tourists to pay homage and worship. He then invited it back to be ensh
rined at the pavilion of Wat Traibhum, along with organizing a celebratory festivities.
And at 09.39 today (October 2, 2024), which is the 15th waning day of the 10th lunar month, the Thai Sarat Day and an important day of the festival, Mr. Chanok invited Phra Phuttha Maha Thammaracha to be enshrined on a Buabok boat and paraded upstream in the Pa Sak River, in the area of ??the pier in front of Wat Traiphum, to perform the ceremony of carrying the Buddha underwater at the pier of Wat Bot Chanamar. According to the legend that has been passed down, there were villagers who went to cast a net to catch fish and found Phra Phuttha Maha Thammaracha diving and swimming, so they invited him to be enshrined at Wat Traiphum until today.
For the underwater Buddha carrying ceremony, the governor, who has the same rank as the governor in ancient times, will be the one to carry the Phra Phuttha Maha Thammaracha underwater along with the four political departments, namely Wiang, Wang, Khlang, Na, while 9 monks chant aus
picious prayers. For the underwater Buddha carrying ceremony in 2024, which is the auspicious year of His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday, Phetchabun Province has organized a special underwater Buddha carrying ceremony, increasing the number from the original 6 to 9 times. The underwater Buddha carrying ceremony will be performed 3 times in the southern direction first, then 6 more times in the predicted directions: the first and second times in the northern direction, the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth times in the southern direction, to request the power and influence of Phra Phuttha Maha Thammaracha to bless the people to live in peace and with rain falling in season.
After the Phra Dam Nam ceremony is complete, offerings such as sticky rice, Khanom Sat and Khao Tok Dok Mai will be thrown to the people who join the ceremony for good luck.
In the afternoon, there is a beautiful boat contest and a rowing competition against the current. In the evening, there is a festival of delicious food from various d
istricts, along with a light and sound show based on the legend of the history of Phra Phuttha Maha Thammaracha, and many other celebratory entertainments throughout the 10 days and 10 nights.
Source: Thai News Agency