YALA, Oct 14 (TNA) — The Yala municipal office grandly organized the Chak Phra or “Pulling the Buddha” festival, gathering many Buddha image boats in southern border provinces and a large number of visitors.
Fifty-eight boats carrying revered Buddha images of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla provinces were present at the centre of Yala for the Chak Phra festival. It was based on the belief that Buddhists welcomed Lord Buddha back to earth after giving sermons on Buddhism to his late mother in heaven during a Buddhist Lent period.
In the Chak Phra festival of Yala, visitors donated and received blessings and teachings from Buddhist monks. There were processions of decorated boats carrying Buddha images accompanied lively by drum performers.
There were also various competitions related to the festival including the contests of beautiful and creatively designed boats, beautiful boat processions, drummers and Paslop dancers. Besides, visitors were welcomed with cultural performances, concerts and local foods and desserts.
The Chak Phra festival of Yala province was set to continue until Oct 17. (TNA)
