Date(s): 5 - 7 April 2008
Venue: Phanom Rung Historical Park, Buri Ram
Traditionally, the locals would go up to the
Phanom Rung Temple for alms giving and to worship the imprint of Buddha's foot on the 15th night of the waxing moon in the fifth month.
The Phanom Rung Temple is a large temple on top of a mountain (Phanom translates to Mountain, and Rung translates to vast, therefore Phanom Rung C translates to large mountain). It is a religious site built in the Saivite Brahmin style set on top a mountain, 360 meters above sea level. According to records, the temple was built by Hiranya, who dedicated it to his sadhu father, Narenthrathit, in the reign of Suryajvarman II. The structure's construction is dated between 1078 and 1178 C.E. in the same period as the Phimai and Phanom Wan Temples of 1080-1106 C.E., in Nakhon Ratchasima.
When the Khmer Empire was centred at Yasotharapura, there existed a city called Mahitharapura that had established relationships with it. Each city had its own ruling dynasties which were related to each other; Athittayawong in Yasotharapura and Chantharawong in Mahitharapura. While Suryajavaman killed his uncle in battle, the latter's wife, Phupatinatharlakshmi Devi and son, Narenthrathit, were spared. Narenthrathit was said to be a handsome man, well-liked by the female sex, skilled in archery, being able to shoot an arrow on target without looking, and brave enough to hunt down an elephant, cut its head off, throw it into the river, turning it into a sea of blood. For his own safety, he renounced the world and became a sadhu (holy man), building Phanom Rung.
The construction took into account astrological aspects, and was built so that the Sun's ray would beam through all fifteen doors of the temple in a straight line, with small intersections, on the 15th day of the waxing moon in the 5th month.
As time passed, Phupatinatharlaksami Devi, missing her son and grandson, left Yasotharapura for Phanom Rung with Chariya, her Lady-in-waiting, and entourage in attendance. She constructed statues of celestial bearers in all 10 directions in worship of all the gods in the universe. She also gave 10 cows and 100 goats to the sadhu Narenthrathit.
The main attraction of this festival is the fact that it is the only day when one can observe a single shaft of light going through all fifteen doors of the structure. There is the re-enactment of Phupatinatharlakshmi Devi Procession including Chariya, the lady in waiting, and entourage, together with the 10 bearer animals-swan, elephant, cow, rhinoceros, ,lion, peacock, naga, horse, raksot, and buffalo. Up to 1,000 people, in ancient Khmer costumes, would normally take part in the procession. Additionally, there is also the Great Temple of the Gods Phanom Rung light and sound show, and local fare.
For more information, please contact the Chaloem Phra Kiat District Tel: on the 1,5th 66 (0) 4462 8119.
More detail:
http://www.tat.or.th/festival
This festival was originally aimed at payings respect to the Lord Buddha. Then the competition of the illuminated boat processions was organised to add colour to the event. An invitation is delivered to the public and private sectors, including temples,to participate in the competition. The illuminated boats lined up in the middle of the Mekong River create an impressive scene for viewers.
