The Khao Phansa Festival is one of Thailand’s most important Buddhist traditional holidays, celebrated annually on the 16th day of the 7th month of the Thai lunar calendar. The word “Khao” means “enter,” and “Phansa” means “rain season” or “rainy period”.
According to Buddhist tradition, the beginning of the rainy season marks the period for agricultural irrigation, and monks are required to return to their monasteries to meditate and observe strict discipline for three months. This is to avoid inadvertently damaging crops while traveling to teach and collect alms. During this time, monks stay in their temples, focusing on meditation and receiving offerings. This period is known as the “rain retreat” (Vassa), and monks and nuns are prohibited from traveling. The Thai government has designated Khao Phansa as a national holiday, allowing the people to participate in the festival’s activities.
Since monks are not allowed to go out for alms during this time, laypeople prepare various everyday necessities as offerings for the monks. Traditionally, candles were a basic source of light and an essential item for offerings. In the northeastern region of Thailand, the Candle Festival, a grand parade held before Khao Phansa, evolved from this custom.
Before the festival, monks clean the temples and their living quarters. On the day of Khao Phansa, all the monks of the temple participate in the entrance ceremony, where they chant sutras and recite “I will observe the rain retreat for three months in this temple” three times. Afterward, the monks confess their wrongdoings to senior monks. Then, temples and monks exchange flowers, incense, and candles to show respect and make amends. After the ceremony, the monks begin their retreat for meditation and study.
On the morning of Khao Phansa, people visit temples to make alms offerings. In addition to fresh rice and vegetables, offerings also include traditional desserts, banana leaf sticky rice cakes, and candles. Items such as sugarcane juice, sugar, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and towels are also given. Large candles, designed to burn for the entire three-month retreat, are made and delivered to the temple with drums and gongs. These candles are used by the monks during their chanting sessions. In the evening, people hold a grand procession with flowers and lit candles around the temple, marking the climax of the festival. During Khao Phansa, many devout men and women may choose to ordain as monks for three months, some to listen to the monks’ chanting every day, or others to observe the Eight Precepts at home as a demonstration of their devotion to Buddhism.
