BUENG KAN, March 12 (TNA) – About 3,000 Thai and Lao
Buddhists on Monday joined ‘Bun Phawet’ Merit-Making Fair or Vessantara
Festival in Phon Charoen district of Bueng Kan province, northeastern Thailand.
The highlight of the festival was the procession of
1.5-kilometer-long cotton scroll paintings, the world’s longest of its kind,
depicting the story of Phra Wessandorn or Prince Vessantara, name of the last
reincarnation of the Lord Buddha before his birth as Prince Siddhartha.
People, elephants, classical dancers and Buddhist monks took
part in the procession which stretched about 2 kilometers long.
Containers of perfume were placed along the route.
Participants in the procession dipped flowers in the containers in a symbolic
act to pay respect to Prince Vessantara.
The procession passed villages in Don Ya Nang sub-district
before reaching its destination, Aranyanee Temple, where a grand religious
ceremony was held. 
At the Buddhist temple, the cotton scroll paintings were
raised around its pavilion.
On the occasion, there were also cultural shows, concerts
and a trade fair. (TNA)
