Asanha Bucha Day
Asanha Bucha Day (Asanha Puja Day)
Ceremonies are held in Buddhist temples throughout the country. Elaborate wax candles are lit and kept burning throughout lent. In the city of Ubon, a Candle Festival is held in which a parade of candles is followed by a contest for best candle design and a beauty contest. In Saraburi, monks from the local temple will walk through the town with their alms bowls. On this day, townspeople will put flowers into their bowls instead of food, and the monks offer these flowers at the temple in honor of the Buddha. Asanha Bucha Day has become a popular day for young Thai men to enter the monkhood.
Royal Thai Embassy
1024 Wisconsin Ave. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20007
202-338-9700
www.thaiembdc.org