TAT Presents

The Tak Bat Dok Mai floral offering merit-making festival is unique to the Saraburi province. It stands out from the merit-making activities conducted in other parts of Thailand because the Tak Bat Dok Mai ritual includes offerings of Dok Khao Phansa, flowers that only come into bloom during the Buddhist Lent, hence the origin of its name (ie, Khao Pansa). Some villagers call the flower Dok Yung Thong (golden peacock) or Dok Hong Thong (golden swan flower).

The Dok Khao Phansa is a native species most commonly found in Saraburi province. A member of the Globba family, the flower is similar to galingale or turmeric and is just over 25 centimeters in height. The plant somewhat resembles the "krachai" or aromatic ginger with flowers in large white, yellow, yellowish-violet, or violet and blue sprays. The yellow flowers have smaller violet petals, giving it a striking appearance. As the Dok Khao Phansa becomes an increasingly rare find these days, lotus, jasmine and rose have become acceptable alternatives for these floral offerings.

The residents of Amphoe Phra Phutthabat have observed this tradition of making floral offerings since ancient times and it has now become a significant provincial event.

The Tak Bat Dok Mai floral merit-making ceremony is performed at Wat Phra Buddhabat Woramahaviharn Shrine of the Holy Footprint, a highly revered place of worship and national landmark, in the Phra Buddhabat District of Saraburi province.

In the morning of the first day of Buddhist Lent, residents of the community engage in merit-making activities by presenting offerings to the resident monks at the Wat Phra Buddhabat temple. Later in the morning, young couples venture out into the forested foothills to gather the Dok Khao Phansa flowers. Meanwhile in the district area, the candle procession and the Tak Bat Dok Mai procession head towards the temple courtyard.

As a prelude to the floral merit-making ritual which takes place in the afternoon, a variety of traditional folk games and cultural performances are featured. Contests such as the long-drum dance, candle and Thai costume contests keep the audience entertained. In preparation for the Tak Bat Dok Mai merit-making ritual, Buddhist devotees line up along both sides of the street forming a long line that extends from the mondop, or seven-tiered temple spire, and trails back along the streets. This forms a passage along which hundreds of monks and novices file past to accept sacred offerings.

The monks then ascend to the Shrine of the Holy Footprint where the offerings received are in turn presented as a tribute to the Lord Buddha. Once the ritual has been completed, the Buddhist devotees pour water over the feet of the monks and novices in the belief that in doing so, the sins of the worshippers are washed away.

Those interested in experiencing the Tak Bat Dok Mai Festival to be held in July in Saraburi province, take the Nakornchai Air bus to Lopburi. The trip takes about four hours. The Nakornchai Air Bus Station is located on Sukhumvit Road just past the Central Pattaya intersection heading south. Buses leave everyday and they are open from 9:00 am - 9:00 pm.

For more information contact the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Lopburi Office 036 422 768-9 or email tatlobri@tat.or.th