TRAVEL NEWS

The Grand Candle Festival and International Candle Carving Competition
(July 27 - 29, 2007: Ubon Ratchathani Province )

20 March 2007, As the seasonal monsoon rains descend over the kingdom, it marks the beginning of the Buddhist "rain retreat" and the Buddhist Lent, or "Phansa", during which all Buddhist monks retreat to the temples. This is also an auspicious time for Buddhist ordinations as it marks a period of spiritual renewal.

Known as "Khao Phansa", the Buddhist Lent is a time devoted to study and meditation. Buddhist monks remain within the temple grounds and do not venture out for a period of three months starting from the first day of the waning moon of the eighth lunar month (in July) to the fifteenth day of the waxing moon of the eleventh lunar month (in October).

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

CANDLE EXHIBITION
An exhibition of Lenten Candles at Thung Sri Muang Park featuring crafted candles, moulded candles and ancient candles.

CANDLE CRAFTING
The beeswax candles of Ubon Ratchathani province generally fall into one of four types - candles on a square structure or Mondop, a beeswax castle or Prasat pueng, candles that form a cone-shaped structure called Poom and candles that are tied together, Mat Ruam.

» Mandapa-shaped Candles (Mondop)
A mondop or mandapa is a structural form with a square base and a spired or pyramidal roof. Mondop candles are used as a receptacle to hold sacred offerings which are brought to temples during the 'kathin' season when monk robes are presented as offerings. Mandapa-shaped candles are used only for worship; they are not lit.

» Beeswax Candle Castle (Prasat Pueng)
The beeswax candle castle is one of the elements of Buddhist merit-making rituals. These are also used in ancestor worship rituals to dedicate merit to ancestors. The beeswax 'castle' is also sometimes featured in propitiation rituals. However the use of the trunk of a banana tree, parts of which are folded into triangular-shapes, is preferred. Taro, turnip or sweet potato are sometimes carved into the floral shapes and dipped into heated beeswax, left to dry and used to decorate the banana tree.

» Cone-Shaped (Poom)
Smaller candles are bonded together to form a cone-shaped structure. They serve a decorative purpose and are used to adorn the main candle. These are then presented as merit-making offerings.

» Candles that are tied together (Mat Ruam)
Smaller candles are simply tied together into a bunch before they are presented as merit-making offerings. The cone-shaped poom and mat ruam candles are similar. Both reflect the ingenuity of villagers in creating a variety of ways to adorn their candle offerings.

THE ROYAL CHALERM PHRA KIAT CANDLE
The magnificent Royal Chalerm Phra Kiat Candle is being specially-crafted to mark the auspicious occasion of the Sixtieth Anniversary of His Majesty the King's Accession to the Throne and reflects a blend of local folk wisdom and national artistic flair.

THE GRAND CANDLE PROCESSION
The magnificent Grand Candle Procession will comprise 20 different candle processions, led by the Procession of the Royal Candle. Processions of 69 Lenten candles follow. Sixty of the candles are crafted or moulded candles and ancient candles crafted by the various communities of Ubon Ratchathani province. Nine are masterpieces created by candle artisans in the International Candle-Carving Competition. Presentations of I-San folk culture by some 2,000 performers add a colourful aspect to the festival.

Youth Candle Carving Contests and Provincial Candle Carving Contests will also be held in separate categories as part of the Ubon Ratchathani Grand Candle Festival. Presentations of I-San folk art and culture

OTOP FAIR
Each of the sub-districts or tambon of Ubon Ratchathani province are famous for locally grown or hand-crafted products considered to be unique to the area. These are brought together at the One Tambon One Product or OTOP Fair, offering a convenient opportunity for one-stop shopping for a vast range of souvenirs and local products. MEKONG FOOD FAIR
with delicacies from countries bordering the Mekong River

VISIT TO BAAN KUM PAN WEAVING VILLAGE
Open House and Cultural activities Baan Kum Pun weaving village in the Warin Chamrap district of Ubon Ratchathani is famous for its ancient textiles and hand-crafted traditional textiles with patterns and remarkable qualities that are entirely unique to the village. Browse the exhibits on display and enjoy weaving demonstrations.

GRAND CANDLE FESTIVAL
VISITS TO CANDLE-CRAFTING COMMUNITIES OF UBON RATCHATHANI
- Wat Thung Sri Muang community
- Wat Bupharam community
- Wat Sri Pra Ku community
- Wat Phra That Nong Bua community
- Wat Nong Pla Paak community
- Prathum Vittayakarn School (Nong Katok)
- Baan Kum Pun Weaving Village

Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand

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