On May 20, Buddhists around the world will celebrate Visakha Bucha, a significant religious festival commemorating three great events: the birth, enlightenment and passing of Gautama Buddha.
In Thailand, this holiday is celebrated nationwide. On Visakha Bucha, temples are lavishly decorated with flowers and colourful ribbons, and oil lamps are lighted under sacred Bodhi trees. When dusk falls and all rituals are completed, thousands of lanterns are launched into the sky.
Locals make offerings to monks and participate in rituals. The main ceremony is traditionally held in Phutthamonthon Buddhist Park, Nakhon Pathom province, where Thailand’s tallest Walking Buddha statue can be found.