Magha Puja

Name: Magha Puja
Start: 2025-03-27
Location: Bangkok

A Night Filled with Light and Prayer

2026/02/27

Every year, on the full moon night of the third lunar month, temples across Thailand are bathed in the gentle glow of countless candles. Makha Bucha, or Magha Puja, is a special day that celebrates the teachings of Buddhism and the bonds of community. From the bustling temples of Bangkok to the tranquil shores of Phayao Lake, locals and travelers alike gather to make merit, quiet their minds, and share in a magical night. This festival, where deep spirituality and breathtaking visuals intertwine, is a must for anyone seeking to experience the essence of Thai Buddhism firsthand.

Makha Bucha is a Buddhist holiday celebrated across Thailand and other Theravada Buddhist countries on the full moon day of February or March each year. It is open to families, travelers, and anyone seeking Buddhist tradition or a spiritual reset.

Main Attractions

Candlelight Procession (Wian Tian)

At dusk, temple grounds are filled with the soft light of thousands of candles. In the ritual known as Wian Tian, worshippers dressed in white quietly circle the main hall three times, carrying flowers, incense, and candles-each lap symbolizing the Triple Gem of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. The flickering flames, the scent of lotus and incense, and the chanting of sutras combine to create a serene and sacred atmosphere. In Phayao, this tradition extends onto the lake, as candle-lit boats glide toward Wat Tilok Aram, turning the water’s surface into a sea of floating lights.

Almsgiving (Tak Bat)

In the early morning, the streets around temples come alive with the quiet bustle of almsgiving. Locals fill baskets with sticky rice, fruit, and homemade curries to offer to barefoot monks. This “Tak Bat” is a cherished opportunity for laypeople to make merit and feel a tangible connection to the monastic community.

Dhamma Talks, Meditation, and Merit-Making

Throughout the day, temples host sermons on the Buddha’s teachings, meditation sessions, and various merit-making activities. Visitors listen to recitations of the Ovada Patimokkha (the Buddha’s core teachings), while the sounds of bells, chanting, and spinning prayer wheels quietly resonate in the air.

Cultural and Historical Background

Makha Bucha commemorates a miraculous day about 2,600 years ago, when the Buddha delivered the Ovada Patimokkha-the core Buddhist precepts of avoiding evil, doing good, and purifying the mind-to 1,250 enlightened disciples (arahants). Known as the “Fourfold Assembly,” this event is celebrated as an ideal of Buddhist community and values such as patience, compassion, and harmony.

The festival was officially established as a public holiday in Thailand during the reign of King Rama IV (Mongkut) in 1851, who initiated national ceremonies at the Emerald Temple. King Rama V later expanded its observance nationwide, and today it stands as a key symbol of Thai Buddhist identity. In modern times, Makha Bucha is widely celebrated in Thailand and other Theravada countries, blending tradition with contemporary faith.

For Thai people, Makha Bucha is a day to reflect on the Buddha’s teachings and renew vows of kindness, patience, and self-control. It is a time to purify the “three poisons” of greed, anger, and ignorance, deepen family and community bonds, and share gratitude, generosity, and prayers for peace.

Participant Voices

“I attended Makha Bucha at Wat Saket in Bangkok. The candlelight procession was truly magical-seeing thousands of people quietly circling the temple was deeply moving. Locals shared lotus flowers and incense with me, explained the meaning of the rituals, and together we experienced a peaceful, warm moment. The kindness of the people, the simple meals, and the sense of unity was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Listening to the monks speak about the Buddha’s teachings and the importance of compassion made me reflect on my own way of life.”

Fun Facts

Makha Bucha is sometimes called the “All Saints’ Day of Buddhism” or “Sangha Day,” and is the second most important Buddhist holiday in Thailand after Visakha Bucha (Buddha’s Birthday).