The ceremony began at 7:30pm, with Phra Udom Wachiramongkol, Chief Monk of Phuket Province and abbot of the temple, presiding over the religious rites. Deputy Governor Suwit Phansengiam led the lay ceremony.
Among those attending were Mueang Phuket District Chief Pairoj Srilamul, heads of government departments, representatives from the public and private sectors, local residents and tourists. Participants gathered at the temple to take part in prayers, listen to a sermon and join the traditional candlelit procession held annually to promote Buddhism on Makha Bucha Day.
The ceremony began with the lighting of incense and candles to pay homage to the Triple Gem, followed by the lighting of the Dharma candle. Religious officials led worshippers in reciting prayers, requesting and accepting the Five Precepts, and inviting a monk to deliver a sermon.
After the sermon, the presiding officer offered alms to the monk, who then gave blessings. The deputy governor performed a symbolic water-pouring ritual to dedicate merit before participants presented flowers, incense and candles. The ceremony concluded with a circumambulation of the temple’s main chapel three times, led by the chief monk.
Makha Bucha Day falls on the full moon of the third lunar month. This year it was observed on Tuesday, Mar 3.
The day commemorates the occasion when 1,250 monks gathered spontaneously to meet the Buddha, without prior arrangement, in an event known as Chaturanga Sannibata. All were said to be enlightened monks who had been ordained directly by the Buddha. On that day, the Buddha delivered the Ovada Patimokkha sermon, summarised in the core teaching: to refrain from evil, to do good, and to purify the mind.
Makha Bucha Day is regarded as one of the most important days in the Buddhist calendar. Across Thailand, Buddhists traditionally make merit, observe precepts, listen to sermons and join evening candlelit processions in homage to the Triple Gem.