Inthakhin (pillar)
| Sai Khan Dok or Bucha Sao Inthakhin | |
|---|---|
 Wat Chedi Luang during Tam Bun Khan Dok | |
| Also called | Inthakhin City Pillar Festival |
| Observed by | Chiang Mai, Thailand |
| Type | Religious |
| Date | 1st waning moon of the 6th lunar month |
Inthakhin (
Inthakhin festival
The Inthakhin or Lak Mueang Festival in
Lanna
-era icons. Dancing, musical performances, carnival games, and Thai vendor food is present. This is a very large celebration in which the Chiang Mai citizenry participate.
In 2012 Inthakhin was on 17–24 May; 2013: 5–12 June; 2014: 25–31 May; 2015: 25–31 May.
The veneration of the city pillar was adopted from a ceremony of the
Thai Yuan ethnic group who built the city of Chiang Mai upon the foundations of an older Lawa city.[2]
Inthakhin legend
According to the legend on which the festival is based, in the time before Chiang Mai was founded, the Lawa people who then lived there received a pillar from the god Indra to protect them against disaster. After this original pillar was again removed by order of Indra, the Lawa were then told to place a replica of the pillar in its stead, and, if this pillar continued to be venerated and the people lived virtuous lives, the city would gain prosperity and be protected against harm.[3]
Gallery
-
The city pillar inside its shrine (2004 CE). Entrance to this shrine is prohibited for women. -
Flowers are placed at the city pillar inside its shrine during the festival (2011 CE) -
The present interior of the City Pillar Shrine (2017 CE) -
Wat Chedi Luang lit at night during Tam Bun Khan Dok -
Offerings to a Buddha image at Wat Chedi Luang during Tam Bun Khan Dok -
Inside the wihan of Wat Chedi Luang, money offerings are dropped into alms bowls during the festival
See also
- Public holidays in Thailand
- Loi Krathong
- Songkran (Thailand)
References
- ^ http://chiangmaibest.com/thai-holidays-festivals/Inthakhin-city-pillar-festival/ [dead link]
- ^ Johnson, Andrew (5 August 2010). "Rebuilding Lanna: Constructing and Consuming the Past in Urban Northern Thailand".
- ^ Johnson, Andrew (5 August 2010). "Rebuilding Lanna: Constructing and Consuming the Past in Urban Northern Thailand".
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tham bun khantok.
- Inthakhin or Tham Boon Khan Dok – City Pillar Festival, Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai Best
- Residents celebrate Inthakhin festival, Chiang Mai Mail Vol. VI No. 13 - Tuesday May 22, - May 28, 2007
- The Drama of Inthakhin, Chiangmai.info