Raking tradition in the B80m
The custom of” Um Phra Dam Nam”, meaning” the cleaning of a Buddha picture”, in Phetchabun is expected to get 200, 000 customers, generating about 80 million ringgit over the course of the 10-day event, which starts this Friday.
According to Mr. Seksan Niyompeng, president of Muang Phetchabun city, the event is exclusive to the area and is held annually on the first day of the new moon’s 10th lunar quarter, which falls on October 2 this year.
The provincial government will travel by boat with the statue of Phra Phuttha Maha Dhamma Racha from Wat Tri Phum in Muang neighborhood to perform the ceremony, which will be performed from Wat Bot Chanamarn’s pier. The two churches are located about a kilometer off.
According to Mr. Seksan, the custom has been practiced for more than 500 times. The Ministry of Culture designated the meeting as a regional ethnic heritage item in 2023.
” For this year, marking the special celebration of His Majesty the King’s 72nd day, the Buddha picture plunging ceremony will be held nine days, instead of the typical six occasions, to mark the sacred occasion”, said Mr Seksan.
A Buddha picture was discovered in the Pasak River, according to myth, which is where the tradition began. No one could catch any fish on a strange moment like today.
Next the once-bright horizon turned black, bringing in storms and storm. Eddies formed in the valley, creating a whirlpool. The iron statue of a seated bronze Buddha statue was elevated by the vortex rather than falling to the river bottom. The picture, 46 centimetres high and 33cm large, was enshrined in Wat Tri Phum after it was found.
The Buddha figure was dubbed Phra Phuttha Maha Dhamma Racha by some. Yet, a year later, the statue mysteriously vanished on the tenth sky of the year before being found in its original location in the river.
The locals next organised a yearly event to transfer the picture to the valley in the hope of receiving the gift of presence, nature’s harmony, joy, and maintain the country free from epidemics, said Mr Seksan.
The place where it was discovered is now Wat Bot Chanamarn, where the ceremony is held.
” The Buddha act is regarded as the most revered in the province”, he said.
Next year the festival attracted about 150, 000 people during the 10-day occurrence, with an average spend of 500 ringgit per man, generating about 50 million baht for the business of the state. He predicted that the event will attract more attendees this year because it has recently become popular among celebrities and virtual celebrities.
” We expect to allowed 200, 000 people to our meeting this year, generating up to 80 million ringgit during the function”, he said.
According to Wisan Khositanon, chairman of the Phetchabun Provincial Cultural Council, a bowl of medicine or sacred water is held by the side of the Phra Phuttha Maha Dhamma Racha monument, which is a sign of treatment.
According to Mr. Wisan, people believe that Phra Phuttha Maha Dhamma Racha’s prayer and request for riches may help treat illnesses and promote success in their lives and careers. He claimed that in the past, the event’s primary emphasis was on trust.
But, the story of this Buddha image has just been presented more often in response to treatment, which has sparked interest, especially among celebrities. The service then attracts huge crowds and aids in advancing the country’s hospitality, he said.
A 3, 000-person classic dance procession will take place at Phutta Utthayan Phetchabura Park between Sept. 27 and Oct. 6. The government of Wat Tri Phum will invite the Phuttha Maha Dhamma Racha memorial to a parade through the town on October 1 at 9:09 am.
” The purpose is for the people to give value to the Buddha statute”, he said.
On October 2, at 10:09 am, the ceremony will be held at the Wat Bot Chanamarn jetty in the Pa Sak River.
” Another way to look at the convention would be as old wisdom used to keep clean waters and encourage community harmony,” he said.