Locally called “Wai Sa Paramee” the ceremony held on Thursday, May 27 at Wat Phrathart Doi Suthep involves the Buddhist faithful walking 11 kilometers to pay respects to the Phra Boromathart Chedi which holds an important Buddhist relic.
Visakha Bucha Day or Vesak Day celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, falling on the full moon, as most Buddhist holidays do, of the 6th month of the lunar calendar.
Three sets of monks’ robes donated by Her Majesty the Queen and royally sponsored holy water for sprinkling on the Buddha images was carried from Wat Lokmolee by a traditional Bussabok carriage in a parade along Huay Kaew Road to the opening ceremony held at the Kru Bah Sriwichai Statue at the foot of Doi Suthep Mountain.
The general public traditionally walked up for a distance of 11 kilometers to Wat Phrathart Doi Suthep, so as to join in sprinkling royally-sponsored holy water to Buddha Images at the temple on Doi Suthep Mountain.
Deputy Governor Chumphorn Saengmanee presided over the ceremony to start the parade of royally sponsored offerings. The Deputy Governor, also seated on a Bussabok carriage, travelled along the road leading up to Doi Suthep where he was joined by thousands of people, many dressed in traditional Lanna style.
This ceremony, a long standing Lanna tradition held the evening before Visakha Bucha Day, is widely attended from Buddhists and tourists from across the region.
It is believed that anyone who participates in the walk up to Wat Phrathart Doi Suthep, and does the “vien tiane”, or walking around the Grand Stupa for three rounds on Visakha Bucha Day, will receive the results of making merit; virtue, luck, and prosperity.
source: http://www.chiangmai-mail.com/current/news.shtml
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