Description
8.30 Depart from LLL Payap Center to Lamphun
9.30 Arrive at the National Museum of Lamphun. The main exhibition hall is on the upper floor where the exhibition of antiques is divided into three periods: prehistoric, Hariphunchai, and Lanna; with Buddha statues, Buddha images, heads and deities.
Regroup for a briefing on the history of the Salak Yom Festival. Walk to Wat Phathat Hariphunchai, the royal temple of Lamphun, which dates from the 11th century, though the central stupa is thought to be 9th century. The temple was rebuilt in 1443 by King Tilokaraja of Lanna Kingdom, Chiang Mai.
Observe the Salak Yom festival, an annual event held in September among the ethnic “Tai Yong” of Lamphun Province. The festival features the presentation of elaborately decorated “trees of gifts” to the Buddhist monks and novices of Wat Phathat Hariphunchai.
The centerpiece of the ritual is a tall bamboo pole decorated with thousands of brightly colored tufted rods, palm leaf manuscript holders, foodstuffs and money. The lower half of each tree is decorated with daily objects, cooking utensils, cloth, fruit, vegetables and various kinds of containers. Traditionally the Salak Yom festival was a rite of passage for young women in ethnic Yong society who prepared the trees and offered them to the monks and novices. The merit attached to Salak Yom is considered to be equal to the merit gained from being ordained a Buddhist monk. Observe and enjoy this amazing festival with local people.
12.30 Transfer to lunch at Krau Wandee Thai restaurant
13.45 Leave restaurant to visit Wat Chamadevi, or as local people call it, Wat Ku Kut. The temple was founded around 1150 when Lamphun was the capital of the Mon Dvaravati Kingdom of Hariphunchai. According to local legend the temple was founded much earlier in the 9th century, in the days of Queen Chama Devi, the founder of the town of Lamphun.
14.30 Visit the art gallery of Ajarn Inson Wongsam, a National Artist of Lamphun widely considered to be an artist ahead of his time. Enjoy his gallery in the beautiful woodlands of Lamphun.
16.00 Leave for Chiang Mai
16.45 Arrive at LLL Payap center
Faculty Guide:
Dr Ratanaporn Sethakul, Associate Professor of History, Emerita, Payap University. For over 40 years Dr Sethakul taught Thai and Lanna history at Payap University and was a researcher of history and culture of Tai peoples. She has led many excursions for LLL, including the recent excursion to visit Tai communities in Chiang Mai.
COST: 2,200 THB (Must be paid by September 11)
Cost includes transportation, lunch, admission fees, drinking water on tour, faculty guide and insurance. Please provide a copy of your passport front page at the time of payment for Insurance purposes.
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