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There are fairs to promote fund-raising in order to do work repair on the temple or
build new structures. In famous temples, there is an annual fair
("GNAAN PRACHAM PI" - งานประจำปี)
with music concerts, outdoor activities, amusements and so on...
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The Thai temple plays a community role and social focal point.
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Important restoration can last several years until the
complete funds are available.
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Temple fairs happen every year. They usually last a few days or one full week.
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Thai local people flock to the Buddhist temple and perform good actions
in order to get merits. They usually pray and donate money to the temple.
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People cover the Buddha statues with a thin golden leaf to honour
Buddha teachings.
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People stick small flags with a banknote as a donation inside a round structure.
It becomes a "money tree".
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People can also rent Buddha statues from the temple. Thai people never
buy Buddha statues but rent them.
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In Buddhist temples having a tall pagoda, people can write prayers and their name on a paper.
This paper is then inserted in a bell that is sent on the top of the pagoda, representing
the heaven.
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Until late in the night, Thai people come to the temple to pray.
They lit the incense sticks and kneel
three times and put the incense sticks in front of the statue.
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Some Buddha statues start to be deformed as golden leaves have been stuck during years
and years.
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After prayers and listening to the monks preach, people
want to have fun. So they wander around the fair and its numerous stands.
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Families, young couples, teenagers, kids and even monks wander along the shops.
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Food stalls propose delicious food (snacks, noodles, rice dishes and even bugs),
drinks and local sweets. Family with kids
have a good time.
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Some vendors tour around Thailand going from one temple fair to another.
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Young people wander around the pagoda. It is also an opportunity for young
people to court each other and stay late.
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Any kinds of goods is sold during the temple fair, i.e. shampoos, beauty products, clothes,
shoes, posters etc.
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It is the rule for visitors to bargain before buying goods in such temple fair.
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DVD, VCD and CD are also available for sale. Genuine or fake? Anyway high volume
sound warns visitors that they are approaching a CD shop.
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Local artists can portrait visitors very accurately.
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Click to see more pictures |
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| Home > Religions > Buddhism > Buddhist Ceremonies > Annual fair |
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