These symbolic offerings are to remind followers that just as the beautiful flowers would dry away after a short while and the candles and joss-sticks would soon burn out, so too is life subject to decay and destruction.
Devotees are enjoined to make a special effort to refrain from killing of any kind. They are encouraged to participate of vegetarian food for the day.
Visakha Puja Day is one of the greatest religious holidays which falls on the 15th day of the waxing moon in the 6th lunar month. The significant celebration is held to commemorate the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death.
In Thailand, as a Buddhist country with His Majesty the King as the Upholder of all Religions, this auspicious day is celebrated throughout the country. Religious flags are flown. Religious ceremonies and merit makings are performed countrywide. Meanwhile, in the countryside people will wake up in the early morning to prepare food and sweets for monks, and at dawn they walk in a long line to the nearby temple where they will spend the greater part of the day in religious activities. The activities are usually centred around the temple where they attend sermons during the day and in the evening take part in the candle-lit procession the main chapel three times. In the procession, each person carries flowers, three incense sticks and a lighted candle in remembrance of the Triple Gems (The Buddha, His Teaching and His disciples).