RITUAL BELIEF AND TRADITION OF SPRINKLING SCENTED WATER ON THE PU PHAYA KAEW WONG MUEANG OF MOO 3, 5 AND 9 IN NAM-MAN SUB DISTRICT, TAPLA DISTRICT, UTTARADIT PROVINCE

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study the background of the ritual belief and tradition of sprinkling scented water on the Pu Phaya Kaew Wong Mueang of Moo 3, 5 and 9 in Nam-man subdistrict, Tapla district, Uttaradit province. The research results found that tradition sprinkling scented water on the Pu Phaya Kaew Wong Mueang is a tradition and belief which has been passed down for more than 200 years. The sprinkling of scented water on the Pu Phaya Kaew Wong Mueang after Songkran festival, on April 20^th of every year. The order of the rituals is as follows: on April 18-19, or 1-2 days prior the event of sprinkling scented water on the Pu Phaya Kaew Wong Mueang, they join together to tie the holy thread from Pu Phaya Kaew Wong Mueang shrine to connect every house in Moo 3, 5 and 9. It is believed to be a sacred thread that protects against bad things that might come. It is a connection symbolizing unity for the people in the village to be all harmonious, loving and caring for each other. On the evening of April 19, a sand pagoda will be built near the shrine. After that, each family will prepare a krathong from leaf sheathes of banana trees, forming a krathong at 4 corners. Inside the krathong will consist of clay that is molded into figures equalling to the number of household members and pets, some white rice, red rice, ripe bananas, molasses, sugar, chili and salt, which represents abundance. On the morning of April 20, they carry the krathong and food for monks to the shrine to make merit and alms. The medium of Pu Phaya Kaew Wong Mueang, also known as as “Phee Pu”, will wait for the monks at the shrine to make merit too. When the monks have finished chanting and blessing, they will offer food to the monks. While the monks eat, people will play long drums. Phee Pu will dance with one hand holding a sword to perform a ceremony to ward off bad things by using the sword tip to rake every krathong and sand pagoda. Once the monks finish eating, everyone receives blessings, and Phee Pu will leave the medium when the monks return to temple. In the afternoon of April 20, people sprinkle scented water on the Buddha image at the temple before sprinkling scented water on Pu Phaya Kaew Wong Mueang at the shrine. The medium will join with a long drum parade and then the ghost of Pu Phaya Kaew Wong Mueang will enter the medium once again, and Phee Pu will predict good or bad fortune. After that, they will sprinkle scented water on Pu Phaya Kaew Wong Mueang, and to follow, on the community leaders (village headman, and sub-district administrative president) and witnesses of the ceremony. When the sprinkling of scented water is finished, Phee Pu will leave the medium, which marks the end of the annual sprinkling scented water on Pu Phaya Kaew Wong Mueang ceremony.