Um Phra Dam Nam
The Um Phra Dam Nam ceremony is a local tradition practiced by the inhabitants in Phetchabun province.
The Um Phra Dam Nam ceremony starts from parading the Buddha image around the city. When the clock strikes 13.00 hours, the image is carried to the ritual site in Wat Traiphum for the people to come and pay respects. There will be prayer and then shows and performances in the evening. On the next day, the villagers give food offerings to the Buddhist monks at the temple.
When it is time for the most important practice, the people take the Buddha image out onto a throne in a ritual boat. The place for this ceremony is the pier at Wat Bot Chanaman. The man who is responsible for bathing the image is the governor of Phetchabun province. He will need to take the Buddha image to the river bed and come up and repeat for the other three rounds. It is considered vital to practice this ceremony since the people believe that if the ceremony is ignored, drought will occur.
After the bathing ceremony, the water is thought to be sacred so the people jump into it or drink it. Following this the annual traditional sailing competition begins.
In this year, Um Phra Dam Nam festival will happen on 2nd –6th October 2015 at Phetchabura Buddha Garden in Phetchabun Province even at Wat Traiphum and Wat Bot Chanaman for ceremony place .However in the event will have many activities that audiences will would enjoy such as boat racing, light and sound about Um Phra Dam Nam ceremony history shown and delicious food festival.