Magha Puramee Sri Prachin Festival

The Magha Puramee Sri Prachin Festival is an annual Buddhist merit-making event held during Magha Puja Day at the ancient Sa Morakot pond and the twin Buddha’s footprints in Khok Pib Subdistrict, Si Mahosot District, Prachinburi Province. It is one of the most significant religious and cultural festivals in Eastern Thailand, blending faith, tradition, and tourism. The highlight of the festival is the candlelit procession around the twin Buddha’s footprints, believed to be the oldest in Thailand, dating back to the Dvaravati period. These sacred footprints have long been revered by locals and pilgrims, making the festival not only a religious ceremony but also a connection to the historical heritage of Si Mahosot, once known as the ancient city of “Arthayapura.”

 

The festival was first organized to preserve Buddhist tradition and commemorate the day when the Lord Buddha delivered the Ovada Patimokkha to 1,250 enlightened monks without prior summons. It usually lasts six to nine days, with activities varying each year. Some years feature light-and-sound performances narrating the legend of the Buddha’s footprints, while others include pilgrimage routes stretching more than 90 kilometers through several districts, linking historical sites and fostering community participation.

 

Throughout the event, the atmosphere shifts with the time of day. The mornings begin with ritual offerings and merit-making ceremonies. Late morning and afternoon programs include Dhamma practice, temporary ordination, and pilgrimage walks to explore archaeological sites. Midday activities involve cultural exhibitions, Buddhist chanting competitions, Dhamma recitation contests, and a retro-style market featuring local food and products. In the evening, there is the opening ceremony and procession of Buddha images accompanied by cultural performances. At night, chanting, meditation, and light-and-sound shows are held. On Magha Puja night, the main candlelit procession around the sacred footprints takes place, along with a Dhamma sermon. The festival closes with a final merit dedication ceremony on the last day.

 

This event is also regarded as the largest Magha Puja merit-making festival in Eastern Thailand. Beyond its religious importance, it promotes the local economy through community markets and showcases of traditional crafts, while serving as a cultural stage for the region’s heritage.

 

 

It takes place every year during Magha Puja Day, on the 15th day of the waxing moon in the 3rd lunar month.

 

The candlelit procession around the twin Buddha’s footprints, Dhamma practice, Buddha image processions, retro market, chanting competitions, cultural shows, and light-and-sound performances.

 

Yes, it is free and open to the public, including both locals and tourists.

 

From Bangkok, take Highway 33 (Suwannasorn Road) for about two hours, or use public buses to Prachinburi town and transfer to the festival site.

 

Yes, there are resorts and lodges in Si Mahosot District, as well as hotels in Prachinburi town, suitable for overnight stays.

 

It preserves Buddhist tradition, honors the ancient twin Buddha’s footprints, and has become one of the largest Magha Puja merit-making events in Eastern Thailand.