Happy Visakha Bucha Day
Posted by Jaxon on May 19th, 2008
Sometimes informally called “Buddha’s birthday,” Visakha Bucha Day actually commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing (Parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha. This day is considered to be the most important day in the Buddhist calendar, celebrated on the full moon of the sixth lunar month, which normally falls in May.
In Chiang Mai, it is celebrated with faithful Buddhists making a pilgrimage up to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep for the purpose of praying to the sacred Buddhist relics housed there and for the purpose of Merit-Making. ‘Merit-Making’ is an important aspect of Theravada Buddhism.
Beginning at sunset on the eve, the procession to Doi Suthep starts from Chiang Mai city and after a 9 km walk up the mountain, the participants arrive at the temple at about 3 a.m. At daybreak, the merit-making starts: food is offered to the monks and homage is paid to the Buddha images in the temple.
As this is an important Buddhist holiday, sale of alcohol is banned throughout Thailand. And most bars and other nightspots are closed.