1. SWEET TAMARIND DAY ( JANUARY FEBRUARY)
In front of the Petachabun Provincial Hall
Sweet Tamarind is strongly associated with Phetchabun , as it is widely grown throughout the province and made into several products , such as candies, drinks and soaps.
Phetachabun organises Sweet Tamarind Day to celebrate the harvest of this fruit and during the festival, farmers bring their sweet tamarinds to sell at reasonable price where best crop contests are held. In addition, there is a variety of other entertainment ; such as the beauty pageant and other cultural performance.
2. UM PHRA DAM NAM CEREMONY( SEPTEMBER)
Held on the 15th day of the waning moon in the 10th lunar month or Sat Thai Day , the day in which Thais make merit by offering Krayasat ( sticky paste made from rice , bean , sesame and sugar) to monks. The festival honours Phra Buddha Maha Dhammaracha , a highly revered ancient Buddha image housing at Wat Trai Phum, which was found in the Pasak River by a group of farmers 400 years ago. The ritual of taking the Buddha image to be immersed in the Pasak River depicts the legend that the image twice wandered out of the temple and was later found in water.
In the afternoon, the image is carried around town and then put under a tent in Wat Trai Phum, so Buddhist can pay respect by applying gold leaf to the statue. In the evening, people gather at the temple to pray , as well as to enjoy various kinds of entertainment. The next morning, people make merit by offering food and other necessities to the monk, as it is Sat Thai Day. The Buddha image is then taken to be immersed in the Pasak River by the governor of Phetchabun and traditional dances are performed as a sign of respect. After the ceremony, the water in the river is regarded as sacred , so people swim in it or take the water to drink and the festival concludes with the traditional long boat races.
In front of the Petachabun Provincial Hall
Sweet Tamarind is strongly associated with Phetchabun , as it is widely grown throughout the province and made into several products , such as candies, drinks and soaps.
Phetachabun organises Sweet Tamarind Day to celebrate the harvest of this fruit and during the festival, farmers bring their sweet tamarinds to sell at reasonable price where best crop contests are held. In addition, there is a variety of other entertainment ; such as the beauty pageant and other cultural performance.
2. UM PHRA DAM NAM CEREMONY( SEPTEMBER)
Held on the 15th day of the waning moon in the 10th lunar month or Sat Thai Day , the day in which Thais make merit by offering Krayasat ( sticky paste made from rice , bean , sesame and sugar) to monks. The festival honours Phra Buddha Maha Dhammaracha , a highly revered ancient Buddha image housing at Wat Trai Phum, which was found in the Pasak River by a group of farmers 400 years ago. The ritual of taking the Buddha image to be immersed in the Pasak River depicts the legend that the image twice wandered out of the temple and was later found in water.
In the afternoon, the image is carried around town and then put under a tent in Wat Trai Phum, so Buddhist can pay respect by applying gold leaf to the statue. In the evening, people gather at the temple to pray , as well as to enjoy various kinds of entertainment. The next morning, people make merit by offering food and other necessities to the monk, as it is Sat Thai Day. The Buddha image is then taken to be immersed in the Pasak River by the governor of Phetchabun and traditional dances are performed as a sign of respect. After the ceremony, the water in the river is regarded as sacred , so people swim in it or take the water to drink and the festival concludes with the traditional long boat races.
