Loha Prasat temple enshrined by marigolds on Macha Bucha Day (February 25th)
Celebrated on a full moon in February, Macha Bucha honours the sermon given to over a 1000 disciples who turned up unannounced to receive the Buddha’s word.
Vivid floral arrangements in the historical locality of Rattanakosin, my current base, line the ramparts of Loha Prasat temple (above) and lead the eye along the the ‘Kings Avenue’ – Radjadamnoen Road.
Being a public holiday in Thailand one can immerse oneself in the colourful sites prepared for this important religious day.
Rattanakosin is centred on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya river and peppered with canals (khlongs) built to fortify the defences of the original capital. Khlongs now slug commuters along their murky depths. Khao San Road is a stone’s throw from here.
Macha Bucha is also celebrated in neighbouring Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. Macha is Pali, for ‘third lunar month’ and Bucha means’ to venerate’.
Monks at breakfast, Wat Bowon on Macha Bucha Day (Feb 25th 2013), Bangkok, Thailand
Trees lining Radjadamnoen Road also receive ‘grafted’ floral tributes.
Circumnavigating the central temple building three times is practiced in devotion.
Related Links
King of the Roads – Radjadamnoen Klang, Bangkok: http://warrenfield.wordpress.com/2012/12/06/king-of-the-roads-radjadamnoen-klang-bangkok/
Floral Tribute on Macha Bucha Day 2012 http://warrenfield.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/early-to-rise-makha-bhucha-day-full-moon-march-7th-2012/
© Warren Field 2013 Taken on OLYMPUS E-System Cameras and Zuiko lenses.
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