Chiang Mai’s colourful Inthakin Ceremony in Thailand - By: Andy Burrows

Chiang Mai, Thailand’s city to the North, is a quiet city of culture and history.
Many tourists take advantage of the quieter pace of life to take classes in traditional Thai massage and Thai cooking. Others rent motorcycles to explore temples in the surrounding area. The best way to take in both the culture and the history of this great Thai city is to visit during the yearly Inthakin Ceremony. It is a completely different festival compared with the famous and riotous Songkran water festival or the more sedate Loi Kratong festival.

The unique festival takes place every year during the eighth month of the lunar calendar on the 12th day of the waning moon. This year that falls on May 13th. Ceremonies and celebrations generally go on for seven days, ending on May 20th this year.

During the week, the people of Chiang Mai pay their respects to the city’s pillar. Legend as it that once, long ago, when the city was only really a small settlement and Buddhism as a religion was all but unknown in the world, a hermit advised the people living in the region to build a special pillar to ward off demons. The pillar still exists today, although it is encased in cement, forming the statue known as Fon Saan Haa (One Hundred Thousand Drops of Rain). Legend says that when the people of Chiang Mai were prevented from paying homage to the pillar by their ruler, the city of Chiang Mai fell to the invading Burmese. Chiang Mai and Thailand

The final element of the celebrations occurs on the last day at the temple. One hundred and eight monks gather in order to bestow one final blessing upon the Buddha statue. City residents wishing to gain merit for their future reincarnations often gather after the blessing to below gifts upon the monks, such as food and their daily necessities. Soon after, however, the streets of Chiang Mai return to their quiet calm, the clouds of incense disperse into the warm winds and the flowers fade and are swept away. The Fon Saan Haa Buddha image, with its ancient teak and gold pillar of protection hidden inside are replaced under the shade of a gum tree and the people of Chiang Mai return to life, as it always is, knowing that the city is safe and the rain will soon come.

About the Author

Andy Burrows travelled extensively across Thailand and has become a Thai culture specialist.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Andy-Burrows/13177

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