Tak Bat

Why Tak Bat is special ?

One of the most beautiful festivals in Thailand is Tak Bat Thewo which takes places on the last day of the three month Buddhist Rains Retreat. This event, in Uthai Thani, has started to become popular over the last few years and I was really glad to be able to go for myself this year during the full moon in October. It was certainly a beautiful sight watching about 500 monks descend the steps from Khao Sakae Krang.

Source: http://www.grad.cmu.ac.th/eng

What to explore at Tak Bat?

According to legend, the Lord Buddha once went up to Tavatimsa heaven during the three month Rains Retreat to preach to his departed mother. On the last day of the retreat, which coincided with the full moon of the eleventh lunar month (usually October), he came down to Earth at a city called Sangkassa. Waiting for him were thousands of people who offered food to both the Buddha and his disciples. This day then became known as “the Buddha’s coming down from the heavenly world”. At Chiang mai University, the Tak Bat Thewo Festival takes place on the full moon during October every year. It takes place at Wat Fai Hin . The 500 monks were coming down from the top of the hill recreating the event of the Buddha descending from heaven. People give food to the monks.

Source: http://www.grad.cmu.ac.th/eng