Festival
and Event :
KHAO PHANOM RUNG FESTIVAL
Date : 3 Apr 2007 - 5 May 2007
Place : Chaiyaphum province
A religious sanctuary dedicated to the Hindu god, Shiva,
Prasat Hin Khao Phanom Rung symbolises Mount Kailasa, the
heavenly abode of Shiva. Phanom Rung Hill rises 350 metres
above the surrounding plain.
Astro-archaeological Phenomenon at Prasat Hin Khao
Phanom Rung
Astrologers have also predicted that an extraordinary astro-archaeological
phenomenon will occur at sunrise (06.00 a.m.) during the
April 3-5 period this year. The doors of the temple sanctuary
are so perfectly aligned that during this period, at sunrise
on a cloudless day with clear blue skies, the sun’s rays
will shine through all fifteen doorways of the sanctuary
in a single shaft of light. (Plan to arrive between sunrise
and before 06.00 a.m.)
Highlights include a rarely seen invocation ritual or buang
suang ceremony, a procession to pay homage to the gods and
celestial beings, a traditional Northeastern Thailand or
I-San-style hope bai dinner, cultural presentations, the
Phanom Rung Devalai light-and-sound presentations and traditional
cultural performances and sales of a range of souvenirs,
village handicrafts and products from the sub-districts
(tambon) of Buri Ram province promoted under the OTOP —
One Tambon One Product — banner.
Prasat Hin Khao Phanom Rung is the second most significant
Khmer-style temple in Northeastern Thailand or I-San. Although
often overlooked on account of the famed Angkor city complex
in Cambodia, the Khmer monuments of I-san represent key
architectural milestones in the development of Angkorean
design and ritual. In fact virtually every Angkor-period
monument played a role in an elaborate cosmology that linked
the entire network, a part of which lay in what is today
Thailand.
According to ancient folk belief, one should make a pilgrimage
to the summit of Khao Phanom Rung to pay homage to the gods,
deities and celestial beings that reside on the mountain
at least once in a lifetime. The tradition has been carefully
preserved by the residents of I-san over the centuries.
The path of Wisdom His Majesty the King’s cares and concerns
for the thais life ,combined with His intimate knowledge
and expertise in the agriculture have resulted in the introduction
and the successful implementation of thousands of Royal
Projects which have improved the quality of life for millions.
“Gardens for the King” which comprises “International Gardens”
and “Corporate Gardens” will not only nourish the visitors’
eyes with cultural and horticultural beauty but will also
enrich their minds with exotic cultures and knowledge of
agricultural Royal Projects.
