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Phi Ta Khon Festival
Come
to Dan Sai
See
for Yourself!
Each year Dan Sai holds the Phi Ta Khon festival.
The local people are very proud of this unique
and colorful traditional merit making festival which has
been passed on from generation to generation for several
centuries. This
festival is held once a year and reflects beliefs in
spirits, ghosts and the teachings of Buddha.
The
Phi Ta Khon is a re-enactment of the tale describing
Lord Buddha’s last great incarnation before attaining
Enlightenment. According
to Buddhist accounts, Prince Vessandara who was the
Buddha’s penultimate
returned to his village after many years in
exile. It
was such a joyous occasion that the village spirits came
forth to join the welcoming parade.
Phi Ta Khon
is now a very colorful and vibrant procession re-enacted
by Dan Sai residents dressed up as “spirits” wearing
long trailing costumes made from colorful strips of
cloth sewn together and a mask.
The mask is made of a special container used to
cook sticky rice, a sheath from a coconut palm frond,
and wood.
Detailed
description
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