The Royal Ploughing Ceremony Discover Centuries Old Traditions

Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, is one of the most happening cities in Southeast Asia

. The city comes to life with numerous festivals varying from traditional events to shopping bargains and celebrations that coincide with international holidays.

If you visit Bangkok in February you can join the Chinese New Year celebration at Chinatown in Bangkok and feel the cultural vibes. In the month of April comes the traditional new year of Thailand called Songkran also known as Water Festival. If you are not afraid of getting splashed with water from all directions and countless times, then this is a festival you definitely dont want to miss.

And when it comes to the month of May another spectacular traditional festival inspires the locals as well as tourists in Bangkok. Referred as the Royal Ploughing Ceremony, it is celebrated annually on a day that is quite special to all Buddhists around the world. It is the full moon day in the month of May that coincides with the Visakha Bucha Day. It is the very day that commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing away of Lord Gautama Buddha.

Agriculture is one of Thailands key livelihoods, especially entwined with the lives, traditions and cultures of the countryside folks. Hence a festival of this scale and sort is the ideal way to highlight the values of tradition and the importance of agriculture to an Asian country like Thailand. The Royal Ploughing Ceremony has a rich history that runs deep into the past about two and half millenniums. And like in the ancient past, the auspicious date and time for this event is still predicted by the Brahman astrologers.

The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is held at the Sanam Luang Park that sits near the enthralling Grand Palace of Bangkok. The ceremony maintains centuries old rituals, while the rites are now carried out by a Ploughing Lord specially assigned by His Majesty the King.

The rites of the Ploughing Lord are just as interesting for those who are curious about traditions of Asians. The lord has to pick a cloth out of three with different lengths and once done, the chosen cloth is said to determine the level of the rainfall. The festival formally declares the beginning of the season for growing rice. And with the help of these rites and rituals the locals expect a profuse harvest for the coming year.

Another highlight of the ceremony is the procession of Thai men in traditional attires leading sacred bulls wearing striking ornamental accessories along streets. Then they enter the Sanam Luang Park which is now transformed into a ceremonial ground. The sacred bulls pull crimson and gold toned wooden plough amidst the chanting and conch sounds of the Brahmans and the drumming of the drummers. The stunning colourful sights and the resonating beats will give a truly wonderful and refreshing experience to the spectators.

For those who are planning to travel to Bangkok in May 2010 can watch this traditional Royal Ploughing Ceremony on the 14th of May. You could also explore the charming Sanam Luang Park infested with grey pigeons and also behold the sight of the spellbinding golden capped palatial complex, the Grand Palace.

Reserve one of the Bangkok apartment hotels as early as possible so as to attend the Royal Ploughing Ceremony without a hassle. If you are looking for a cosy apartment that sits close to the key business firms and major shopping and dining districts then why not try Citadines Bangkok Sukhumvit 8 Citadines Bangkok apartments deliver comfort topped with spacious rooms and modern facilities offering you a home away from home.

by: Pushpitha Wijesinghe

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