Celebrating Asalha Day 2013

Last Monday, Buddhists all around the globe celebrated one of the most holiest days in the religion's calendar - the Asalha Pja Day ("Dhamma Day").

According to Wikipedia, "Asalha Puja means to pay homage to the Buddha on the full moon day of the 8th lunar month (approximately July). It commemorates the Buddha's first teaching: the turning of the wheel of the Dhamma (Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta) to the five ascetics at the Deer Park (Sarnath) near Benares city, India. Where Kondanna, the senior ascetic attained the first level of enlightenment (the Sotapanna level of mind purity).'

I was lucky to celebrate the day with some Burmese friends and students here at Mae Sot in Tak province of Thailand. The celebration was like a fiesta. People wore their best dresses for the event, prepared their offerings and pray to their Gods.

Here are of the photos which I took during the celebration. Enjoy.

Buddhists from all walks in life trooped to their monasteries and 

celebrated the event with friends and family.

It was a time for bonding and the customary photo taking for posterity.

Buddhist offered prayers, lighted candles and food.

Burmese women wore their colorful dresses for the event.

Buddhists also listen to the monks and prayed with them. 

People also brought with them offerings for the monks

Then there were prayers...

After the prayers, people lined up to walk out of the prayer area and to collect their slippers.

Just like any celebrations there food. Surprisingly, 

the food is being sold by a Muslim woman.