Asanha Bucha Day 2009 on Koh Samui

Asanha Bucha Day 2009 on Koh Samui

As already posted earlier today, today is Asanha Bucha Day, one of the major Theravada Buddhist festivals in the region.

All day long there were activities in Wat Plai Laem or the local Temple, which is also for this occasion the major temple with the main event on the island. This also meant that all day long Monk chants could be heard over the PA system.

Tomorrow there's more when Wan Khao Pansa hits town or rather Thailand.

Asanha Bucha Day 2009 on Koh Samui; Around 7 pm the main ceremony of the day starts, when people meet at the Temple and sit down for religious ceremonies and eventually everybody walks around the Bot for 3 times.

There were lots of unusual activities to be witnessed, but I guess they're unusual for the non Thais and/or non Buddhist oriented folks.

One of them is shown in the picture above, it shows a string with money tacked to it, as part of the Tambun or repentance.

Asanha Bucha Day 2009 on Koh Samui

To get connected with Buddha, people have white strings attached to an intricate woven system that leads back to the altar. The white strings attach to another coloured string which they put around their head.

Asanha Bucha Day 2009 on Koh Samui; This looks familiar and I may have shown this in a previous post, but this is melted candle wax which is put into pre shaped molds so new candles can be made by the visitors of the Temple tonight.

Asanha Bucha Day 2009 on Koh Samui; Flowers and money are offered before they sit down and join the worshiping.

Asanha Bucha Day 2009 on Koh Samui; The highlight of the evening, walking around the Bot for three times. A continual busy location that Bot from 7 pm onward.

An interesting event and nice to see again, since for the last couple of years I somehow wasn't able to make it to the temple for various reasons.

Please do 'like' my Koh Samui blog Facebook page and enjoy the beaches around the island or in front of your hotel or resort and get some well deserved rest and a break. If you're done resting or need something else to do, there's plenty of things on offer on and around Koh Samui, you can go snorkeling or diving or take a dive course. You can also enjoy some of the trips I recommend, like a half day gourmet lunch and snorkeling trip at the Southern part of Koh Samui or a photography trip where you get to see the most photo genetic spots on the island or go for a drinks tasting tour if you like a tipple or two.

Contact me for more detailed information on any of the options mentioned.

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 Camille

Updated 8th July, 2017