Festival of candles d'Ubon Rachathani
Buddhist Festival and sculpture · Ubon Rachathani, Thailand
The festival
In Khao Phansa, the monks entered the rain retreat (the three-month "Buddhic Lent") and the faithful once offered candles to the temples to enlighten the study of the Scriptures.
In Ubon Rachathani, in Isan (northeastern Thailand), this offering has become a monumental art: since the first procession in 1901 and the first contest in 1937, temple communities sculpt for months huge tanks of bee wax — some long as a bus — depicting scenes of Hindu and Buddhist mythology, from Ramayana to Buddha's lives.
Around Thung Si Mueang Park, the parades of the tanks, accompanied by traditional dancers and musicians, attract crowds from all over Thailand; the sound and light shows prolong the party in the evening. After a few weeks of exhibition, the sculptures are melted — a Buddhist reminder of the impermanence of everything.
Good to know
Lunar dates (Asalha Bucha / Khao Phansa): in 2026, edition from 24 July to 2 August, main processes on 29 and 30 July according to the Thailand Tourism Office. In 2027, Khao Phansa falls on 19 July: edition expected around this date.