Hae Phra Khiao
Kaeo , or Celebrations of Lord Buddha’s
Tooth. Buddhists believe that “Phra Khiao
Kaeo” is the tooth of Lord Buddha. The
festival is held on the first day of the
waxing moon in the fourth month of the lunar
calendar. The people of Amphoe Phra Phutthabat
will present the tooth that is to be taken
from Wat Phra Phutthabat Ratchaworamahawihan
Museum and bear it in a procession around
the town. They believe that if the procession
is held, they will live in wealth and happiness.
Tak Bat Dok Mai
, the Food Offering Festival, is an important
event of Phra Phutthabat district. This
impressive merit-making ceremony is held
to coincide with the start of the annual
three-month Buddhist Lent (around June-July)
when Buddhist monks must stay in their
temples. In the morning, the people will
offer food and candles to Wat Phra Phutthabat
Ratchaworamahawihan, Tambon Khun Khon,
Phra Phutthabat district. They will go
to collect a kind of flower called “The
Flower of Buddhist Lent”, to offer
to the monks for merit. The herb-like
flower has yellow or white colors and
is found at a hillside only during the
Buddhist Lent period in Saraburi. While
the monks come along the passage to bring
the flowers to pay homage to Lord Buddha’s
Footprint, people will wait at the stairs
with a bowl of clean water floating Mimusops.
They will pour the water onto the feet
of the monks and the novices as a means
of cleaning one’s mind.
Phra Phutthabat
Homage-paying Festival Stems from
the time when Lord Buddha’s Footprint
was found in the reign of King Songtham
of Ayutthaya. The mondop was built to
cover the footprint. At present, the footprint
is situated at Wat Phra Phutthabat Ratchaworamahawihan,
Tambon Khun Khon. A large number of Thais
and foreigners come to Phra Phutthabat
during the event. The event is held twice
a year: from the first day till the fifteenth
day of the waxing moon in the third month
of the lunar calendar totalling 15 days;
and from the eighth day until the fifteenth
day of the waxing moon in the fourth month
of the lunar calendar for 8 days.
Chao Pho Khao Tok
Festival or Chao Pho Khao Tok Procession
is an annual festival. The event features
the supernatural power performances of
Chao Pho Khao Tok and walking on fire,
Lo Ko dragon parade, and Chinese opera.
Mostly Chinese people, especially the
pupils of Chao Pho Khao Tok, will come
to join the festival. The event is held
from the first day of the waxing moon
in the fourth month of the lunar calendar
for 4 days at Wat Phra Phutthabat Ratchaworamahawihan
in Phra Phutthabat district.
Kam Fa Festival
is held on the second day of the waxing
moon in the third month of the lunar calendar.
The festival features folk entertainments
and activities including a pitch and toss
game, cockfighting, toasting ricein bamboo,
etc. On the third day of waxing moon in
the third month of the lunar calendar,
people perform merit making and attend
sermons, cook and tell stories about ancestors.
The festival takes place annually at Tambon
Phai Lio, Don Phut district.
Songkran Song Nam
Sao Nang Takian Wat Sung is held annually
on April 23 in front of Wat Sung’s chapel,
Sao Hai district. People perform merit
making by pouring water to the elders
and to Nang Takian pillar.
Pa Sak Boat Racing
Festival is a major annual regatta
that takes place in front of Sao Hai district
office’s pier on the last Saturday or
Sunday of September. Famous boats from
all over the country join in the race.
This festival preserves local tradition.
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