The procession from Don Chao Poo Forest back to the wat is a loud and lively affair. Here are some pictures of this year's procession.
An important part of the festival is the parading of this long banner which tells the story of Prince Vessandorn pictorially. When it reaches the wat it is stretched along three walls of the big sala to serve as a bckdrop for the ceremony which takes place on the following day.
These two children were playing the role of Prince Vessandorn's children who have been returned to him and accompany him back to his city.
There were many more monks than usual in the procession this year. Many of them had come to Phana for the celebration of the four promotions I posted about previously.
Most of the children walked alongside the procession but a few of them walked in it, and this young man obviously enjoyed carrying a banner, though it must have been hardwork for him.
When the procession reached the old marketplace, it was greeted by very loud firecrakers to warn off any demons who might have been lurking around. Some firecrackers had been let off for the same purpose as the procession started to move off back in Don Chao Poo.
But this is what the children were waiting for. The senior monks riding in the back of a pick-up truck kept throwing out handfuls of one baht coins and there was an excited scramble to pick them up. A few adults took part too (it is supposed to bring more luck than actual monetary gain) but those I saw passed the coins on to children.
In my next post I will explain what happens in the wat on the following day.
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