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TRADITIONS & UTENSILS

 

 

 

  Lotus Throwing Festival

 

Thailand

Besides a number of smaller boats, the canal boat parade, which is held annually in Samut Prakan, in 2020 had a total of eight main barges.

 

Each major barge is set up in a different theme and is decorated with flowers and kreuang khwaen, as well as with Thai and Hindu mythological characters, mostly of deities and animals.

 

  Lotus Throwing Festival

 

  Lotus Throwing Festival

 

Additionally, each barge has a distinct figurehead of a  mythological character, especially a prominent figure from the Ramakien and Himaphan.

 

As the boats pass slowly by spectators throw lotus flowers at them, especially at the first vessel which carries a Buddha image.

 

  Lotus Throwing Festival

 

  Lotus Throwing Festival

 

This first most main boat is accompanied by Brahmin priests, who catch the flowers and pile them onto the Buddha image.

 

The figureheads and related themes of the seven barges that participated in 2020 parade are, from top to bottom: 1. a blue giant or yak holding a naga followed by Rahu; 2. the kinnari Manohra;...

 

  Lotus Throwing Festival

 

  Lotus Throwing Festival

 

3. a three-headed naga; 4. Krut Yut Naak, i.e. Garuda holding nagas; 5.  elephants; 6. the golden swan hong thong; 7. nagaraat; and 8. a purple yak.

 

POSTAGE STAMP TRAVEL PICTURE 1 TRAVEL PICTURE 2 TRAVEL PICTURE 3 VIDEO THEMATIC STREET LIGHT

 

  Lotus Throwing Festival