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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Saraburi,
the province of historical sites, the holy footprint,
the beauty of nature, and famous food, is located some
108 kilometres from Bangkok. Travelling to and around
Saraburi could be made in one day. The province is administratively
divided into 13 districts: Muang Saraburi, Nong Saeng,
Sao Hai, Ban Mo, Phra Phutthabat, Nong Don, Kaeng Khoi,
Muak Lek, Wang Muang, Wihan Daeng, Nong Khae, Don Phut,
and Chaloem Phra Kiat.