Unique in the World: Lamphun Salak Yom Festival

As we enter the late September, for those who are looking for an interesting festival to visit, ThailandCONNEX presents the Lamphun Salak Yom Festival at Wat Phra That Hariphunchai, Lamphun province.

This festival is held annually at Wat Phra That Hariphunchai, a sacred place for the people of Lamphun. In addition to admiring the beauty of the stupa, visitors can also appreciate the unique artistry of the local Salak Yom(tie-dye) patterns, which are unique in the world. The tie-dye tradition is a significant part of the 'Taan Salak Pattra' ritual, which is an annual merit-making ceremony before the Buddhist Lent. People from the Lanna region often engage in this ritual on the 15th night of the 10th lunar month. 'Salak Yom' is an offering made to honor young women, and it is believed that young unmarried women aged around 20 are the most suitable candidates. In some areas, the age requirement is not strict, and candidates can be a few years older or younger, but the common belief is that unmarried young women who participate in the 'Salak Yom' ritual receive great merit, equivalent to the ordination of men.

Modern 'Salak' rituals, especially at the individual level, focus on cultivating inner peace. Most often, people make offerings to benefit themselves, deceased relatives, or spiritual guardians. The items used to decorate the tie-dye tree may vary from the past and can be chosen based on the preferences of the person making the offering. The owner of the tie-dye tree signifies that these items are expressions of love and preferences of the recipients. Up to this point, the Lamphun Tie-Dye Festival has evolved and interpreted the tie-dye ritual differently. It has become a grand and vibrant festival, comparable to New Year's Day in Lamphun.

For this year, the Lamphun Salak Yom Festival is scheduled from September 23 to September 29, 2023