Elephant Back Alms Offering Ceremony
It is one of the most remarkable and unique cultural events of Surin Province,
held annually during Asalha Puja Day and the Buddhist Lent Festival.
This ceremony beautifully combines local traditions with Buddhist culture, reflecting the deep faith and harmony of the Surin community.
Background of the Tradition
Elephants are considered a national symbol of Thailand and have been an integral part of Thai life for centuries. They were historically used for labor, transportation, and warfare, and have even appeared as symbols on the national flag. Elephants have also been honored as a royal animal, closely associated with the monarchy.
However, the understanding, care, and training that have made Thai elephants renowned worldwide for their remarkable skills can largely be attributed to the Kuay (Kui) people, who have lived in Surin Province
The Kui people have had a deep bond with elephants since ancient times. Originally a minority group, they possessed skills in capturing and training elephants that were passed down through generations. In the past, they prepared elephants for warfare, and after conflicts ended, they trained them for performances and shows a tradition that has been handed down from generation to generation, also providing a source of income for their communities up to the present day.
Furthermore, the Kui people, along with most of the Surin population, are devout Buddhists. To preserve their rich cultural traditions, which beautifully blend Buddhism and the human-elephant relationship, they established the Candle Procession and Elephant Back Alms Offering Ceremony. This is recognized as the first and only festival in the world where participants can offer alms while riding on elephants.
During the ceremony, monks and novices ride on the elephants, allowing devotees to make merit by offering rice, dried food, and other alms. Visitors not only experience the excitement of giving alms in this unique way, but they can also make donations to the elephants, honoring these majestic and auspicious animals that are deeply cherished in Thailand.
Features of the Activity
The Elephant Back Alms Offering Ceremony is a unique and captivating event where monks and novices ride on elephants while devotees make merit by offering rice, dried food, and other alms. This tradition combines Buddhist religious practices with local cultural heritage, providing a spectacular display of elephant training, skills, and harmony between humans and elephants.
Participants and visitors can actively engage in the ceremony, experiencing the thrill and spiritual satisfaction of offering alms on the back of these majestic animals. The event also includes parades, traditional performances, and cultural displays, making it a highlight of Surin Provinces annual festival calendar.
Attire / Dress Code
For the Elephant Back Alms Offering Ceremony, participants and visitors are encouraged to wear traditional Thai clothing or modest attire suitable for a religious and cultural event.
Women often wear colorful Thai silk skirts (sinh) with matching tops, while men may wear traditional Thai shirts or casual yet respectful clothing. Comfortable shoes are recommended, especially if you plan to walk around or participate in the parade.
Dressing respectfully not only honors Buddhist customs but also allows visitors to fully immerse themselves in the cultural experience.
The Elephant Back Alms Offering Ceremony not only preserves Thai culture and Buddhist traditions, but also promotes local tourism and stimulates the economy. Visitors, both Thai and international, come in large numbers to participate, bringing pride to the people of Surin and showcasing Thai culture to the world.
For anyone visiting Surin Province, taking part in this unique merit-making tradition is a must. In addition, travelers can also explore nearby attractions to make the most of their trip.
Recommended Attractions in Surin Province:
- Ancient Thai Silk Weaving Village, Tha Sawang, Mueang District: Learn the traditional art of natural silk dyeing and be amazed by the intricate gold-threaded silk weaving techniques, reflecting patterns from the royal court of ancient Thailand.
- Elephant Village, Tha Tum District: Discover the lifestyle of the Kui people and their deep bond with elephants. Here, elephants are treated as family members rather than merely business animals, providing visitors with a unique cultural experience.
Hotels in Surin City
Surin Organic Rice
We carefully select premium organic rice varieties, cultivated using organic farming methods, including Jasmine Rice, Brown Jasmine Rice, Pak-Ampul Brown Rice, Five-Variety Mixed Rice, Surin Malinil Rice, Riceberry, and Red Jasmine Rice. These are grown once a year in Surin province with meticulous attention to every step of organic farming, following natural methods. From the organic fields, we deliver wholesome, 100% organic rice straight from the farmers to consumers.
Our Surin Organic Rice products have been certified with the following standards:
- Thai Organic Agriculture Standard (Organic Thailand)
- PGS Thailand Participatory Guarantee System for organic farming
- Pure Rice Variety certification from the Rice Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives
- Surin Best Local specialty of Surin
- GI Surin Hommali Rice Geographical Indication certification for Surin Jasmine Rice
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