Visakha Bucha Day is an important Thai festival marked on the full moon day of every sixth lunar month, which typically falls in May each year.
The day marks three key events in Buddha’s life: the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha.
Visakha Bucha Day 2025 Dates & Celebrations, Chiang Mai Thailand
This day is so important to Thai people that it has been designated a public holiday. This means many shops and attractions may be closed on this day, and alcohol sales may be restricted.
In Chiang Mai, Visakha Bucha Day is celebrated by many locals walking 11km to the summit of Doi Suthep Temple. Nearly 10,000 people make the climb up the mountain. Many people start the night before or just after midnight to reach the temple as the sun rises.
The day is also marked with devout reverence and solemnity, reflecting on Buddha’s teachings. Devotees and visitors participate in “wian tian” (candlelight processions) at temples, offer food to monks, listen to sermons, and make merit in various ways. It’s a time to reflect, meditate, and honor the path to enlightenment that Buddha illuminated.
Chiang Mai’s rich tapestry of history and religion offers the perfect backdrop for the Visakha Bucha celebrations. From the majestic Wat Phra That Doi Suthep perched atop the Doi Suthep mountain, offering panoramic views and spiritual solace, to the serene beauty of Wat Chedi Luang in the heart of the Old City, each temple tells a story of faith, history, and artistry.
If you choose to participate in this religious celebration, dress appropriately and cover your knees and shoulders once at the temple.
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