The ceremonies started with the drawing of sacred water from a blessed well at Wat Chalong last Thursday (July 4), after which the sacred water was carried in a blessed vessel to Wat Phra Thong in Thepkrasattri, Thalang.
Established in 1785, Wat Phra Thong is of historical significance to Phuket and is renowned for its half-buried Buddha statue, known as ‘Phra Phut’.
Legend has it that a boy tied his buffalo to what he thought was a post, but both the boy and the buffalo died. In a dream, the boy’s father learned that the post was actually the Buddha’s hair, leading to the discovery of the statue. Despite efforts, only the upper half of the statue could be unearthed.
King Rama VI renamed the temple from Wat Phra Phut to Wat Phra Thong. The temple was visited by King Rama IX, Bhumibol The Great, on March 11, 1959, who inscribed his initials on a stone plaque at the temple entrance, and the temple received royal recognition on Oct 27, 1980.
The sacred water blessing ceremonies at Wat Phra Thong began at the temple’s Viharn (congregation hall) on Sunday (July 7). The initial ceremony was presided over by Phra Udom Wachiramongkol, Chief Monk of Phuket and Abbot of Wat Mongkol Nimit.
The civil ceremonies were led by Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat. The event saw participation from hundreds of government officials, judiciary members, military personnel, police officers, state enterprise employees and local residents.
The ceremony commenced with Governor Sophon paying respects to a portrait of His Majesty the King, followed by offering floral tributes and lighting incense and candles. A Brahmin then recited an auspicious incantation.
Governor Suwannarat proceeded to light candles and incense in honour of the Triple Gem (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha) before taking his seat. Sacred chants and rituals were performed, with Phra Udom Wachiramongkol leading the monks in the blessing of the sacred water.
At the auspicious time of 5:18pm, the chief monk lit the victory candle, and the monks chanted blessings. The ceremony included traditional musical performances, the invocation of protective chants, and continuous prayers by senior monks, creating a profound spiritual atmosphere.
The ceremonies at Wat Phra Thong continued yesterday (July 8) with a candlelight procession ceremony to celebrate the holy water of the Buddha, with Phra Udom Wachiramongkol presiding over monastic ceremonies and Governor Sophon presiding over the civil ceremonies.
To conclude the ceremonies, Governor Sophon decanted the water from the sacred vessel into a blessed white vase that was brought to Phuket Provincial Hall for safekeeping until the Governor carries the water to the Minister of Interior in Bangkok, where he is to arrive this Sunday (July 14).
Sacred water from 107 blessed sources throughout the country this Sunday are also to arrive at the Minister of Interior, where all the waters will be kept until July 25, when there will be a ceremony to “invite” the holy water from the 107 sacred water sources to be brought to Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram (Wat Pho).
At Wat Pho, an ancient temple which King Rama I the Great ordered to be built for monks to study Dharma, will be another consecration ceremony of the sacred water.
On July 28, the sacred water will be brought to the Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall at the Grand Palace to be used in a morning ceremony to honour His Majesty The King’s birthday.