In ancient times, it was a tradition for Buddhists from all over Siam to visit Saraburi’s Wat Phra Buddhabart Ratchaworamahawihan to worship the Lord Buddha’s footprint during the 3rd and 4th lunar months. Despite transport hardships, they were strongly determined to get there due to a belief that three-time visitors to this temple would go to heaven.
Tak Bat Dok Mai (floral merit-making) at Wat Phra Buddhabart, Saraburi.
According to legend, this footprint is one of the Lord Buddha’s only five footprints in the world.
Wan Khao Pansa, the first day of the Buddhist Lent in the 8th lunar month, has become another popular occasion for Buddhists to visit this temple for Tak Bat Dok Mai (floral merit-making).
After alms-giving, Buddhists will present yellow and white flowers called dok khao pansa (Buddhist Lent flowers) to monks who are climbing the temple’s stairs to worship the Buddha’s footprint. They will also wash the monks’ feet as a symbol of clearing away their lusts and sins.
Activities include: July 13′s worshipping the district’s six holy spirits and the spirit of King Song Tham who established the temple during the Ayutthaya period; July 14′s alms-giving to 3,000 monks; and July 15-16′s flora merit-making scheduled for 10am and 3pm.