Visakha Bucha Day Wednesday, 26th 2021

The highest Buddhist holiday of the Thai people is the Visakha Bucha Day (also called Vesakh festival), the first full moon day in the sixth lunar month.

This very special holiday commemorates the birth of Buddha, his enlightenment and his entry into Nirvana – the three most important events in his life. For the Buddha’s honors, the faithful Thais go to the temples to pray and listen to monks’ sermons.

Donations to the monks and novices are also an important and integral part of the day. In the evening, in many places, light processions take place, during which the faithful Buddhists walk around the temples with candles to commemorate the Buddha and express their wishes.

 

In the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai in the evening there is a large procession of lights to the temple Wat Phra That Doi Suthep on the mountain of the same name outside the city of Chiang Mai.