Celebration of the 720 years of Chiang Mai
This year, Chiang Mai celebrates the 720th anniversary of the founding of the city. The main celebration will take place today, April 11, 2016 with a grand ceremony at the Three Kings Monument where 720 dancers will perform a Fon Leb at 6 pm (see video below to watch the rehersal).
It’s on April 12, 1276 that King Meng Rai founded the city of Chiang Mai (or Nopburi Nakornping Sri Chiang Mai). The city became the center of the prosperous Lanna kingdom .
Program of the 720 years of Chiang Mai celebration
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the festivities began a merit making ceremony at Wat Phra Singh at 6:30am on April 10, 2016 with 720 monks and novices in front of the Royal Temple along Tha Pae Road.
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On April 11 with a traditional Northern Thai dance performance (Fon Leb dance) with 720 participants from government organizations and communities at Three Kings Monument at 6pm. Following the performance thiere will be local Lanna music with traditional drums and Lanna lanterns.
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On April 12 at Three Kings Monument, a ceremony to pay respects to the Three Kings and Phaya Mengrai in particular will be held at 8am. At 3pm at the 700 year Stadium a ceremony honoring Phaya Mengrai will take place followed by a light and sound show at 8pm titled “Sang Pisut of Ping Nakorn or the Pure Light of Ping Nakorn”.
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Lanna New Year will be celebrated on April 13 with an offering of food to monks at the Tha Pae Gate at 6am followed by a ceremony at Wat Phra Singh at 9:09am. Then the Buddha image will paraded from Wat San Pakoi to Wat Phra Singh. In the evening dance performances will take placeat the Three Kings Monument at 6pm.
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On April 14, there will be music, song and dance performances including a Lanna opera at Three Kings Monument at 6pm.
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On Sunday, April 17, worship ceremony held at Wat Suan Dok at 10am. This will be followed by a tribute parade with the Chiang Mai Governor and Prince Wongsak na Chiangmai, government officers, members of the Lanna royal families and members of the public at 5pm. Finally, at 6pm, a ceremony to pay respects to Chiang Mai’s ancestral kings will be held. The Sunday Wlaking Street, a big night market in Chiang Mai, will also start around 5 pm.
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A special presentation of Buddha images and relics will also be offered at the Chiang Mai National Museum from 12 to 17 April.
Happy birthday to Chiang Mai ! Suk San Wan Kerd Chiang Mai na krap! 😉
