In the evening, it is back to the temple for a walk around the viharn (main prayer hall). The rite known as wian tian requires participants to pace around the structure three times while holding lit candles.
Visakha Bucha Day commemorates the three most important milestones in the life of Buddha. These were the day he was born, the day of his enlightenment on his thirty-fifth birthday and his death on his eightieth.
The day that Visakha Bucha actually falls on varies with each passing year as it coincides with the full moon of the year’s sixth lunar month. It is one of the most important holidays on Thailand’s annual calendar.
Due to the fact Visakha Bucha is a religious celebration, government offices and central bank branches will be shut. This does not apply to bank branches located inside shopping centres and these will be open for business as usual.
Bars, cafés and restaurants are prohibited from selling alcohol on Visakha Bucha and other religious holidays in Thailand too. This comes into effect at 24:00 tomorrow evening.
Thailand prepares for Visakha Bucha religious holiday
News in Asia
Thai Buddhists will celebrate the life and times of the Lord Buddha with Visakha Bucha Day this coming Friday. Buddhists will visit their local temples to listen to monks’ sermons and give alms to make merit.