Si Satchanalai 2022 Monks Ordination - Wat Hat Sieo

[DavidFL]

Held annually on 7 April, Si Satchanalai, has a unique Buddhist Monk Ordination festival that involves novice monks being paraded around town on elephant back.

The 160 year tradition comes from the Tai Phuan people, expert elephant handlers, who hail from Muang Khoun in Laos.

Muang Khoun - Xieng Khouang - The Ancient Royal Capital

Muang Khoun 27 kms south of downtown Phonavan, used to be the old Royal capital of the Phuan Kingdom. At the height of it's fame the Muang Khoun - Phuan kingdom was described as “a large and beautiful city protected by wide moats and forts occupying the surrounding hills and the opulence of...

www.gt-rider.com

Wat Hat Sieo is the venue for the main ordination

See also

The beauty of preserving ancient culture

A community of Tai Pheuan migrated from Laos 160 years ago and still maintain their ancient Buddhist ordination rites.

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Si Satchanalai Elephant Back Ordination Procession

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Ordination Tradition

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The Complete 3D2N Sukhothai Itinerary Including the Sukhothai Historical Park

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More to come. catching up.

 

[Ian Bungy]

How come they wear the "Blues Brothers" Sunglasses?

 

[DavidFL]

There are ceremonies to prepare & dress the young novice monks before the parade, but in Sisatchanalai you pretty much need an introduction to a family to get involved and watch.
The young boys heads are shaven then taken to the temple for a blessing & instructions.

Later on they are dressed & blessed again at the temple.

 

[DavidFL]

How come they wear the "Blues Brothers" Sunglasses?

A quote: "Wearing sunglasses before being ordained symbolises that the boys are in the dark and will learn wisdom while they are novices."

 

[DavidFL]

The young novice monks are carried in a parade around town, on elephant back, to the temple.

Village dance troupes lead the parade.

The noise from the bands and crowds lining the streets is deafening, & it amazing how placid & calm the elephant are in the parade.

 

[DavidFL]

On to the Wat there's some Thai dancing & the elephants are parked for a few photos & PR.

 

[DavidFL]

Speeches, dances & temple activities over, there's one final parade around town with the elephants to take them to cool off with a wade across the Yom river. For many it is the highlight of the event.

And if you think this event looks like a hoot as Trink would say, mark your calendars for 6-7 April 2023 in Si Satchanalai.

 

[DavidFL]

Last but not least perhaps. In 2022 the crowd & heat, & noise, got a bit much for one of the elephants at the temple "finale."


The unlucky people on the rammed elephant took a fall as the rammed chang ran off through the crowd and out into the street, I understand.

 

[DavidFL]

The 2023 Event is on 6-7 April in Si Satchanalai.

 

[DavidFL]

The 2024 event is on 7 April 2024.