Religion

Thousands in Thailand celebrate end of Buddhist Lent

Samut Prakan, Oct 1 (EFE/EPA).- Thousands of people Thursday morning ventured down to the river in Bang Phli, east of Bangkok in Samut Prakan province, to celebrate the Lotus Flower Receiving Festival, or Rap Bua as it's known in Thai. Most of the thousands of festival-goers carried lotus flowers - regarded as holy by Buddhists - as they stood on the river bank, and then brought the flowers close to their faces as they prayed.Once the ornately adorned boats approached, people tossed the flowers at the large golden Buddha statues on the boats. It is believed that throwing the flowers delivers them to Buddha and confers blessings on the thrower.The festival, an old tradition in Bang Phli, marks the end of Buddhist Lent or Vassa, a three-month period during the rainy season observed by Theravada Buddhists. (Camera: NARONG SANGNAK). SHOT LIST: THE CELEBRATION OF RAP BUA OR LOTUS FLOWER RECEIVING FESTIVAL, IN BANG PHLI, SAMUT PRAKAN PROVINCE, ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF BANGKOK, THAILAND.