HEAVE HO... Some of the 500 Buddhist devotees pulling a Thai dragon barge carrying nine monks in an age-old ritual at the Thamkhirivong Wat in Pendang (Kg. Padang Pusing), about 30km from Alor Setar, yesterday.
Holding onto a 100m rattan rope tied to the flat-bottom barge with no wheels, the devotees took about an hour from 9.30am to pull the barge to an open field about 1km away, signifying the end of the monk's three-month meditation.
An air of festivity prevailed during the procession, which was accompanied by dancers and musicians playing Thai devotional songs during the Chak Phra Festival.
According to the temple's senior monk, Phra Pallad Phat, the festival is held annually on the first day of the 11th month of the Thai calendar.
"We have been observing the tradition for generations and the barge has been used for more than 20 years," he said.
"The festival can help promote Thai culture as well as become one of Kedah's tourist attractions," he said.
He added that it was an arduous task to pull the 4m by 3m wooden barge, which had metal pieces on its flat bottom instead of wheels.
The religious festival attracted hundreds of Buddhist devotees, who took the day off to bring their families and friends to join in the celebrations. - STARpic by EMBUN MAJID
-- The Star pada 4 Oktober 2001
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