The
Candle Festival
is the largest religious ceremony in Ubon Ratchathani. It is
celebrated yearly by the City on Asalha Bucha Day and Khao
Phansa (Buddhist Lent) Day. The ceremony is held at Thung Si
Mueang and Chaturamuk Pavillion. There are two kinds of candle
competitions; the sticker imprint candles and the carved ones.The procession, consisting of candle floats from the
various temples, with a beautiful lady representing an angel
for each candle, moves from the front of Wat Si Ubon
Rattanaram along the road to Thung Si Muang.At night, there is entertainment to celebrate the Lent
candles.The
reflection of lights on the candles creates a picturesque
effect during the festival.
The
local products of Ubon Ratchathani are Khit- designed pillows,
Pha Khao Ma or loincloths, silk, fold up mats, Khit-designed
cloth, basketry (such
as winnowing baskets),
sticky rice containers, fish baskets, and ordinary basdets,Tourists may buy them from souvenir shops around Khuan
Thani Roas near the Ratchathani Hotel, orfrom the market in town.
Ubonratchathani
is also famous for local food prepared from freshwater fish,
meat, Pla Sawai or Pla Tepho, sliced into long thin pieces,
marinated in salt water with chopped pineapple, meat, and
sealed in jars.This
kind of specialty is called “Khem Mak Nat.” It can be used
to make various kinds of food; for example, it can be used as
many kinds of dips.This
product is sold all over Amphoe Muang.
