Celebrating Ashalha Pja day

Last July 23 was a huge celebration for Buddhists all around the globe as they celebrated one of the most holiest days in the religion's calendar - the Asalha Pja Day ("Dhamma Day").

According to Wikipedia, "Asalha Puja means to pay homage to the Buddha on the full moon day of the 8th lunar month (approximately July). It commemorates the Buddha's first teaching: the turning of the wheel of the Dhamma (Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta) to the five ascetics at the Deer Park (Sarnath) near Benares city, India. Where Kondanna, the senior ascetic attained the first level of enlightenment (the Sotapanna level of mind purity).'

I was lucky to celebrate the day with some Burmese friends and students here at Mae Sot in Tak province of Thailand. The celebration was like a fiesta. People wore their best dresses for the event, prepared their offerings and pray to their Gods.

Here are of the photos which I took during the celebration. Enjoy.