In October the festival celebrates the official end of the annual three-month Buddhist Rains retreat (Phansa). The Chak Phra Festival literally means the procession of pulling the Buddha images. The original stems from the Buddhist belief that during Phansa the Buddha went up to heaven to deliver a sermon to his mother who died after giving birth to Lord Buddha and was born again in heaven. The day of his return to Earth is called "Ok Phansa" and the festival marks that date. It is also an occasion for religious merit making and celebrations.