On the New Moon day of the 10th lunar month, Phetchabun province will organise the one-and-only ceremony in the Kingdom called "Um Phra Dam Nam", meaning "Carrying The Buddha Image While Diving".
This year the tradition will take place on Sept 17 and will be part of a six-day event from Sept 15-20 in Muang district. The annual ceremony is organised by Phetchabun province, local authorities and the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Legend has it that the tradition began during the Ayutthaya period when a Buddha image was found in the Pasak River. It was a strange day and nobody could catch any fish. Then the bright sky turned dark as a thunderstorm brought a downpour. Eddies formed in the river, creating a whirlpool. But instead of dragging everything down to the bottom of the river, the whirlpool brought up a seated bronze Buddha image.
The Buddha image was 46cm tall and 33cm wide and was known as Phra Phuttha Maha Dhamma Racha. It is believed to have been created during the reign of King Jayavarman VII, of the Khmer Empire, in the 12th century.
The image was kept in Wat Tri Phum after it was found. A year later, the Buddha image mysteriously disappeared on the New Moon of the 10th month. It was discovered at its original spot in the river. The locals then organised a yearly festival to return the image to the river in the hope of receiving the blessing of abundance and nature's balance.
The Buddha image is regarded as the most revered in the province. The spot where it was found is today the location of Wat Bot Chana Man, where the Um Phra Dam Nam ceremony is held.
On Sept 15, the ceremony will start with traditional dances by students and locals to pay respect to the Buddha image. On the second day, a parade will be organised to carry the sculpture around the city for the public to pay respect.
The highlight will be on Sept 17 when the Um Phra Dam Nam ceremony will take place at the pier of Wat Bot Chana Man at 10.39am. Culture Minister Itthiphol Kunplome will preside over the event.
Boat races will be organised on Sept 18-19 at Wat Tri Phum while a food fair, performances and light and sound shows will be hosted from Sept 17-20 at Phutta Utthayan Phetchabura Park.
For more information, call the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)'s Phitsanulok office, which also oversees tourism in Phetchabun, at 055-252-742/3.
