Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival
(ประเพณีแห่เทียนพรรษา อุบลราชธานี)
Ubon Ratchathani
Candle Festival is Buddhist tradition, Thai Buddhist will held on Asalha Bucha Day and Khao Phansa Day every year in many provinces. Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival is the traditional well-known festival in I-san and this is the largest religious ceremony greatest merit of the province. Even Ubon Ratchathani is more than 800 kilometers from Bangkok still alot of people go to see the festival.

History of Khao Phansa Day. This day marks as the beginning of the rainy season retreat for Buddhist monks. This time the farmers will begin planting rice, the monks will stay in the temple to prevent the monks from treading on the rice. In the past we need some candles in the night people will give the big candle to the monks so they can use it for 3 months.

The huge candle parade in Ubon Ratchathani was started since hundred years ago, represent for firmly prosperity in Buddhism culture and tradition for a long time.

During the cerebration, the huge candles are prepared by people from temples throughout the province a couple of days before the procession, and then paraded through the city on floats with a beautiful lady representing an angel for each candle, each representing a local temple, district or other institution. The procession moves from in front of Wat Si Ubon Rattanaram along the road to Thung Si Muang. There are also the dancers and the musicians in traditional dresses joy in the parade. In addition, there are the impressive exhibition of wax sculptures, which created by the international artists from various countries.

You are invited to join the celebration 22 July 2013 - 23 July 2013. They will have the candle contest in this festival as well.