The 2018 Phra Prang Sam Yot Festival: A Journey Through Time to the Sacredness of Prasat Phnom Rung

The grandeur and beauty of Prasat Phnom Rung,
a pink sandstone temple,
a historical park that stands majestically
on the summit of Phnom Rung, an extinct volcano in Buriram Province,
beckons us to capture every image and angle.

A tale from the past, spanning millennia...
of the Mahidharapura dynasty, the lineage of
King Suryavarman II, the builder of Angkor Wat.
It inspires our faith in the sacred
and compels us to seek the stories within this divine temple.

Grand and beautiful traditions, processions, and ceremonies

give us a clear picture of the glorious past of

"Phnom Rung Stone Castle".

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We have finally arrived here at this momentous occasion on March 31, 2018.

The day of the "Phnom Rung Climbing Ceremony," a grand annual festival of the people of Buriram, which has been held continuously every year.
To pay homage to the great god Shiva and the deities, the sacred things that protect this religious site.

A significant time for the people of Buriram to climb Phnom Rung to worship the replica of the Buddha's footprint, to ask for blessings for themselves, and to participate in the ceremony of offering sacrifices to the sacred things of Phnom Rung.

Amidst a throng of Buriram locals and tourists
who had been waiting since morning, at around 3 pm,
the Phra Wihan ceremony commenced.

The procession began with a tribute to His Majesty King Rama IX and Rama X.

Following the procession of divine vehicles from 6 districts,
which were arranged to offer as a divine offering to the guardian deities of the 10 directions of the universe,
namely the swan, elephant, cow, ram, lion, peacock, serpent, horse, demon, and buffalo.

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The procession of Queen Bhuppatintharathewi, portrayed by actress and Miss Thailand runner-up Niniw Kanyarat Pongkamphanat, was a magnificent spectacle that evoked a vivid sense of the past.

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The Procession of Queen Bhupa Tintralaakshmi Devi: A Journey of Discovery

The magnificent procession of Queen Bhupa Tintralaakshmi Devi sparked our curiosity, leading us to delve into her origins. This exploration revealed that the Phronom Rung Festival draws inspiration from the inscription on the Phronom Rung temple, dating back a millennium. This inscription serves as the foundation for a captivating narrative that recreates the procession of Queen Bhupa Tintralaakshmi Devi, the mother of Prince Narenthratit.

Prince Narenthratit, a member of the royal family, renounced his princely status to become an ascetic at Phronom Rung, accompanied by his son, Prince Hiranya. The Queen embarked on a journey from the royal capital (present-day Cambodia) to the sacred site of Phronom Rung to offer devotional offerings to the ten guardian deities of the universe.

In addition to the grand procession, the historical park also provided space for local people to sell OTOP products, local food, and souvenirs. This area was called the Wananamrung Civilization Market.

Strolling through the market until the sun sets

The "Light of Faith at Phanom Rung Stone Castle" exhibition, which simulates the sun's rays shining through the 15 doorways of Phanom Rung Castle at night, has begun beautifully.

The colors of Phanom Rung Castle change continuously.
With the phenomenon of light shining through the slots at intervals.

Capturing the light of faith at Prasat Phnom Rung, we were satisfied and it was time to sit and watch the Dimentional Mapping Light & Sound Show, "The Light of Faith, Shiva's Creation, the Exquisite Value of Phnom Rung." The stage performance tells the history of Prasat Phnom Rung in a magnificent way.

The traditional ceremony and performance ended at nearly 9 pm, but the lights of the Phanom Rung Castle continued to shine, showcasing its beauty.

This trip to Phanom Rung was truly worthwhile, allowing us to fully appreciate the grandeur of this sacred site.

After the spectacular festival, it was time to return to our accommodation at the Nang Rong Hotel Budget & Boutique Hotel, conveniently located in the heart of Nang Rong town, just 30 minutes from Phanom Rung Castle.

After a long day of hiking and capturing stunning photos, all I crave now is a warm bath, a soft pillow, and a comfortable bed.

If you are planning to visit the stone castles in Buriram,
Nang Rong Hotel is the best place to stay for this trip. Because from Nang Rong District, we will spend less time traveling to all the stone castles than staying in the city center.

Most importantly, the room rate is less than a thousand baht, with free wifi, close to the morning market and walking street, close to the two-row car queue, which can walk to every place, making it even more worth staying here.

Just steps away from the morning market and fresh market, it's no surprise that upon waking up, we'd encounter vendors carrying shoulder poles laden with freshly cut sugar palm juice, walking up to the hotel to sell them for 50 baht each. The sweet and fragrant taste is sure to delight.

While the hotel offers complimentary coffee and fried dough, its proximity to the market entices us to sample the local delicacies before returning to Bangkok.

My first trip to Buriram Province.
My first experience with the grand festival of the land of volcanoes.
I must say, I'm in love.
#StoneCastle and #NangRongCity, this city is truly amazing.

Accommodation Details: Nang Rong Hotel Budget & Boutique Hotel

Contact Information:

• Tel: 044-631014
• Mobile: 061-9171417
• Fax: 044-631465
• Website: https://www.nangronghotel.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nangrong.Hotel
• Line@: @nangronghotel

Nang Rong Festival

Organizer: Buriram Province

Contact Information:

• Buriram Provincial Administration: 044-666501
• Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Surin Office: 044-514447