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Saraburi Province


Wat Phra Phutthabat enshrines the Buddha's Footprint
Saraburi has been an important town since ancient times. It is believed to have been constructed in the year 1548 during the reign of King Maha Chakkraphat. Saraburi is only 108 kilometers from Bangkok occupying 3,576.5 square kilometers, and is administratively divided into 11 Amphoes and 2 King Amphoes.
  • Festival and Celebrations Manual in Saraburi Province.


    The Offering of Flowers at Wat Phra Buddhabat
    The Offering of Flowers at Wat Phra Buddhabat
    July 9, 1998
    At Wat Phra Buddhabat, Saraburi
    The Offering of Flowers is a traditional religious practice of Buddhists in Phra Buddhabat District, Saraburi Province. The ritual of this ceremony has been continuously performed by Buddhists for many generations. It is believed that the Offering of fresh Flowers to Buddhist monks is the action of giving one's worship to Buddh.
    In the early morning of the first day of the Buddhist Lent, Buddhists in Phra Buddhabat District will gather in the sermon hall in the monastery of Wat Phra Buddhabat Vara Maha Viharn where there offer food to the monks. After that, the worshippers will go too collect a kind of flower called "The Flower of Buddhist Lent", to offer to the monks for merit. The amazing plant, looks like some kind of herb, is one foot tall and blooms only on the Buddhist Lent Day. The Flower can be found in three colors, white, yellow and blue. The white and yellow flowers are commonly found all around, but the blue one is exceptional as it is found only in some remote hiding place. People believe the more blue flowers they offer, the greater the merit.
    The ceremony of the Offering of the Flowers is traditionally performed in the afternoon of the Buddhist Lent Day in the courtyard of the temple, where the Buddhist Worshippers stand in two rows with a two-meter space between then as a passage. The monks then come along this passage to receive the flowers from the people.
    On the auspicious occasion of the celebration of the ceremony, the villagers of the District organize folk-dances, folk-music and the art of self-defense using swords and clubs, etc. There is also a parade of the Lent Candles performed by governmenttal organizations, a contesting procession of long-drum folk-dances, and a parade of the Flower Offering, moving along the srteets of the district to the temple. People, led by these joyful parades, proceed to the monastery to offer their flowers to the monks.
    The ceremony of Offering the Flowers in Phra Buddhabat District in Saraburi Province is held annually on Buddhist Lent Day, which is the first day of the darkmoon fortnight in the eighth month of the Lunar calendar. Details are provided for those interested at the Office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Tel. : (02) 694-1222 (Auto. 90 number); Fax : (66 2) 694-1220, 694-1221
    E-mail : tat@cs.ait.ac.th

  • Attractions
    Phra Phutthabat Shrine
    The name of this shrine literally means the Buddha's Footprint which are housed in the Mondop located on the shelf of Suwan Banphot Hill or Satchaphan Khiri Hill, Amphoe Phra Phutthabat 31 kilometers from the provincial township area. From Saraburi one takes a left turn and travels one kilometer before arriving at Amphoe Phra Phutthabat site. The footprint was discovered in the reign of King Songtham of Ayutthaya. There are two annual fairs celebrating the footprints : The first one falls on the 8th waxing moon day to the 1st waning moon day of the 3rd lunar month; and the second falls on the 8th waxing moon day to the 1st waning moon day of the 4th lunar month.
    It is an age-old tradition for Thai Buddhist piligrims to play homage to the footprint of Lord Buddhabat. In 1622 A.D. a hunter named Boon came upon a hunter-like footprint while hunting for a wounded animal. When told about it, King Songtham of Ayutthaya Kingdom went to see the footprint and, convinced that it was that of Lord Buddha, had it enshrined in a mondop.
    After making merit the pilgrims can enjoy folk entertainment and shop for local products.
    The festival is held annually in the thrid and fourth months at Wat Phra Buddhabat Rajworamahaviharn in Phra Buddhabat District of Saraburi Province.

    Phra Phutthachai
    This literally means the Buddha's Shadow which is located on the Bangkok-Saraburi Road at Km.102 where a right turn is to be made for a distance of four kilometers; then take a left turn to the monastery where one can follow the sign clearly leading to the location in the foot hill area of Patthawi-Hill, Tambon Nong Pla Lai. The Main attraction is the shadow of a Buddha image seen on a cliff wall and one can access there through a spiral staircase; the surroundings of that place are very pleasant and shady.

    Khao Sam Lan National Park
    Khao Sam Lan National Park is located 16 kilometers from the city on the same route to Wat Phra Phutthachai. The park comprises various kinds of wild woods and beautiful waterfalls such as Nam Tok Sam Lan, Nam Tok Pho Hin Dat and Nam Tok Ton Rak Sai.



    Muak Lek Waterfall
    Muak Lek Arboretum
    This arboretum is located 36 kilometers from Saraburi on Friendship Highway in back of the shops selling the products of the Dairy Farm Organization. It occupies an area of 375 rai situated at the middle point between Amphoe Muak Lek of Changwat Saraburi and Amphoe Pak Chong of Changwat Nakhon Ratchasima.

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    Information : Tourism Authority of Thailand, Tel. (02) 694-1222, E-mail : tat@cs.ait.ac.th
    : Tourist Service Center (TAT and Tourist Police), Tel. 1155

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