Devotees flock to the Mekong River to worship Buddhist saint for good luck | TheStarTV.com

Devotees flock to the Mekong River to worship Buddhist saint for good luck

Published on 3 Mar 2016 10:52:13 AM

Over 100,000 Thais and Laotioans recently took part in a ceremony at the Mekong River to worship a Buddhist saint, whose image was raised from underwater for the occasion.
The annual ceremony, held for nine days and nine nights between Jan 27 and Feb 4, saw worshippers from both countries paying their respects to an Arhat named Phra Uppakhut/Upagupta, believed to still be alive and residing underwater in oceans and rivers.
A senior Thai official needs to go underwater to collect Phra Uppakhut's image and raise it overhead thrice in a ceremonial gesture, before the image is ushered around Nakhon Phanom.
According to a Buddhist legend, Phra Uppakhut attained Nirvana hundreds of years after Lord Buddha's passing.
It is believed that those who worship Phra Uppakhut will obtain good luck in their businesses.

Keywords
mekong river, asean now, buddhist saint, startv, thailand

Over 100,000 Thais and Laotioans recently took part in a ceremony at the Mekong River to worship a Buddhist saint, whose image was raised from underwater for the occasion.
The annual ceremony, held for nine days and nine nights between Jan 27 and Feb 4, saw worshippers from both countries paying their respects to an Arhat named Phra Uppakhut/Upagupta, believed to still be alive and residing underwater in oceans and rivers.
A senior Thai official needs to go underwater to collect Phra Uppakhut's image and raise it overhead thrice in a ceremonial gesture, before the image is ushered around Nakhon Phanom.
According to a Buddhist legend, Phra Uppakhut attained Nirvana hundreds of years after Lord Buddha's passing.
It is believed that those who worship Phra Uppakhut will obtain good luck in their businesses.

Keywords:
mekong river, asean now, buddhist saint, startv, thailand

Up next

Autoplay

Guardians of the terrapins | Star Golden Hearts Award 2024

Star Golden Hearts Award 2024 - Double Celebrations of Deserving Unsung Heroes

Chef Dave shares sweet recipe for Deepavali

Fan Bingbing on director Chong: He's my type of guy

Wheel-chair users share struggles and frustrations using disabled toilets in the Klang Valley

'I miss football and my heart aches,' says Faisal Halim in first public appearance

Calls for an inclusive Kuala Lumpur

China and Malaysia, connected through time

Copter tragedy: Senior Seaman Joanna Felicia Rohna laid to rest

ESG Positive Impact Awards 2023

Ethnic Indian lion dancers continue their late master's legacy

Thaipusam 2024: Shear commitment

Paddling against the tide: Cancer survivors find strength in dragon boating

Remembering our railway men

‘Iron Lady’ makes it to Mt Everest base camp at age 73

Recalling the Pos Tohoi tragedy

High Spirits for A Dying Art

From mother to daughters, a generational legacy of service

She's 17, and drums for Malaysian rock legends Search: 'Music is my life'

Challenges of manning world's busiest checkpoints

Former 1MDB lawyer arrested, says Home Minister

Don't treat us as free labour, says student activist

Mother’s Day 2023 makeover for Orang Asli women

Barfi is more than a sweet treat, it’s a piece of Vaisakhi celebration

Tradition of Kejut Sahur still alive in Taman Setia Balakong

Why we're underdiagnosing autistic girls | R.AGE

Najib Razak fails in bid to get SRC conviction reviewed

MRT Putrajaya Line Phase Two to start operations on March 16

Nasi kandar stall named after Saddam

The Journey of Devotion : Kavadi carrier for 20 years

Chelsia’s charitable heart

Genting van crash: Man heartbroken over loss of three family members

Thailand rolls out the red carpet for PM Anwar

Turkiye quake: A photograph and its story

PM Anwar dismisses claims govt using MACC as political tool

Veteran lawyer Gopal Sri Ram passes away at 79

Sacked and suspended Umno big guns return fire

Lunar New Year celebrations around the world

Boy trapped in shipping container for six days

Malaysian artisans keep lion-head making tradition alive for Lunar New Year

Notable moments throughout 2022 #yearender2022 #TheStarRewind2022

Sombre affair at SJKC Mun Choong in memory of Batang Kali landslide victims

Chinese couple in JB celebrate their union with Malay tradition

Rain or shine, devoted man shows up at wife's grave daily

Guthrie Dawn Raid: A look back in history

Insight job: Mortuary make-up artist

Autism Cafe Project: A project born out of love for son

Preserving an ancient Sikh martial art - Gatka

Tired of waiting for authorities to act, these “rebels” fix potholes on their own

Best way to stop Covid-19 wave: Stay at home, says Health DG

Talented Malaysian student creates her own K-drama love story animation

Fuze Ecoteer volunteers clean Sg Kayu Ara every week to protect otters

The home cook who beat Gordon Ramsay

Telling stories through murals

Finding friendship through charity

Ismail Sabri: The MCO is still in force, okay?

Murals brighten dull street walls in Klang

EXCLUSIVE: An ambassador awaits her return

Oldest living woman shares her secret

Treetop student Veveonah keeps her feet on the ground

Dexamethasone should only be used on severe Covid-19 patients

Court dismisses Dr M's bid to remain Bersatu member pending suit against party

PJ OCPD visits 'Aunty Ah Siong' who gave him pau 30 years ago

High Court orders Isa Samad to enter defence in Felda graft case

Old folks home in Kuala Selangor is latest Covid-19 cluster

Pre-schools, kindergartens allowed to re-open from July 1, says Ismail Sabri

Health DG: No 'barbershop cluster'

Tony Fernandes: AirAsia to add more flights by July

Malaysia among top 5 globally to have successfully contained Covid-19

Covid-19: 8 new cases, one death, active cases dip below 1,000

Covid-19 positive detainee dies at Bukit Jalil Immigration depot

If Covid-19 outbreak detected, public areas like zoos can be closed again, warns senior minister

Patrick Teoh charged with insulting Johor Crown Prince

Ismail Sabri holds last Covid-19 daily presser, says no more colourful batik shirts next week

Ismail Sabri: Malaysians can now enter Sarawak without Covid-19 PCR tests

Ismail Sabri lodges police, MCMC reports over fake news

Barber with Covid-19 had been providing illegal house-to-house haircuts during MCO

Ismail Sabri: SOP for non-Muslim places of worship to be decided next week

Public transport can now operate at full capacity, says Ismail Sabri

It’s a date: Secondary schools reopen on June 24

Health DG: Malaysia to review possibility of cross-border travel

Health DG: Worrying spike in road accidents during conditional MCO

M'sians in centres can continue quarantine from home beginning Wednesday

Talks underway to allow Malaysians to travel to Singapore for work, says Senior Minister

Conditional MCO to be replaced with recovery MCO from June 10 - Aug 31, says PM

PM: Interstate travel ban to be lifted, domestic tourism to be allowed beginning June 10

Covid-19: Home quarantine only from June 10 for M'sians returning from abroad who test negative

PM announces list of premises, activities still not allowed under recovery MCO

Making staff take leave for quarantine? You don’t get to make the rules, bosses told

Temperature checks, eating in class during recess new norm when schools reopen, says Education Minister

Guidelines on reopening schools to be distributed Thursday (June 4), says Education Minister

Ismail Sabri: Govt yet to decide whether to lift or extend conditional MCO

Covid-19: Three Kuala Langat housing areas placed under enhanced MCO after cluster detected

Govt to finalise SOPs for religious events, night markets, hair salons by June 6

Ismail Sabri: Interstate travel for weddings, pre-wedding outdoor photo shoots allowed

Health DG: Spike in infections among foreign workers poses a new challenge

Ismail Sabri: No interstate travel allowed except for four reasons, police permission

Ismail Sabri: NSC yet to determine SOP for barbers and hair salons

Covid-19: Uncertain future for entertainment industry

Hairdressers’ plea: Allow us to reopen

Hamzah: Dr M, four others had their membership automatically nullified

Dr M: I'm still Bersatu chairman, remember that

Claim that conditional MCO to be extended to June 24 is fake, says Ismail Sabri

Health DG: Govt to consider reopening schools, social sectors if cases remain low

Eid during Covid-19 pandemic, the Malaysian story

Ismail Sabri: Govt could reintroduce MCO, if rakyat violates conditional MCO

Health DG: Only family members allowed to gather during festivals, social distancing must be maintained

Explainer: Why is the coronavirus so deadly?

Conditional MCO extended for another four weeks to June 9

Covid-19: Crowded living quarters is cause for spread of virus among foreign workers

Dr M, Anwar do not acknowledge current govt, vow to fight on

Health DG: Hospital KL can now resume most services, including elective surgery

Covid-19: PM shares Malaysia's six-pronged strategy at NAM online summit

Health DG: Don't assume MCO is over just because some restrictions eased

Dine-in at restaurants allowed but with conditions, says PM

PM: Almost all economic sectors, business activities can resume ops under conditional MCO

Unsung heroes of the community

Inspector pleads not guilty to raping two Mongolian women

“I still tested positive for Covid-19”: Recovered patient shares hospital readmission story

Covid-19: Expert advice on food safety during MCO

Ismail Sabri: All travellers within Malaysia need police permission under MCO

Malaysia supports setting up of Covid-19 Asean Response Fund

Covid-19: Why Malaysian students decided to stay in the UK

Covid-19: War not yet over, fight on, urges PM

Roadblock cop praised for saving trapped puppy, canine parents wag their tails

New Covid-19 sub-cluster detected in Rembau, says Health DG

Govt working with S'pore to handle influx of M'sians returning home after island republic lockdown

Recovered Covid-19 patients join the fight, donate blood plasma to help other infected patients

Cops to start issuing RM1,000 compounds for MCO violations

Condo party: 17 get two weeks in jail for defying MCO

Covid-19: Teacher, 20 students at tahfiz school in Melaka test positive

Zone-based SOP to be tabled at special Cabinet meeting on Thursday

Stranded, evacuated and quarantined: Student shares experience returning to Malaysia

After Makcik Kiah, PM uses “Madam Lee, Hj Salleh and Surjit Kaur” to explain SME stimulus package

Muhyiddin unveils RM10bil stimulus package for SMEs

MCO: Govt makes U-turn, revokes permit for Heineken and Carlsberg

'TikTok family' recovers from Covid-19, undergoes home quarantine

Covid-19: Malaysia to receive testing devices from South Korea on Monday

Dr M: Expect a change in lifestyle due to lower income amid Covid-19 fallout

Dr M: Those unemployed due to MCO must consider picking up in-demand jobs

Health DG: Test kits from Korea will arrive next week

Stringent enforcement sees less people defying MCO, says Ismail Sabri

EP09: Is “sexy time” safe despite Covid19 outbreak? | PUTTING DR G ON THE SPOT

Final decision: No Ramadan bazaars nationwide during MCO, says Ismail Sabri

Health DG: Spike in Covid-19 cases expected due to active detection at hotspots

Animal lovers feed strays amid MCO

Health Ministry braces for possible peak in Covid-19 cases in mid-April

Covid-19: Bukit Aman to tighten MCO

Health ministry identifies 334 quarantine centres for Covid-19 cases, mulls hotels as well

Comply with MCO and it won't be extended, says Ismail Sabri

Hong Kong police shoots protester in chest

SRC trial: Najib shocked, expected to be acquitted, says Shafee

Najib shocked? I'm shocked at his reaction, says Dr M

Deputy minister Eddin Syazlee collapses in Parliament

Court orders Najib to enter defence over RM42mil SRC case

Hong Kong police defends move to shoot, to probe man set on fire

Najib campaigns in Tg Piai, a day ahead of decision in SRC trial

Najib arrives in court for key ruling in 1MDB-linked case

Former deputy education ministers welcome court ruling on vernacular schools

SRC trial: Shafee maintains Najib a victim of conspiracy led by Jho Low

JB cycling tragedy: Prosecution files appeal against driver's acquittal

Paul Yong trial: Prosecution seeks protection for witnesses

Japan imperial couple rides through Tokyo in grand enthronement parade

Court rejects application questioning vernacular schools

Self-exiled opposition leader Rainsy urges countrymen to rally on