18 Wat Chetawan - Kathina Ceremony

Hubs and I were self-appointed tour guides to visiting relatives last Sunday. One of the places we popped into for some sightseeing was Wat Chetawan, a Thai Buddhist Temple located in Petaling Jaya. 

Wat Chetawan

We were surprised to see many cars and a large crowd. "Why so many people geh?" we wondered. A banner on the wall revealed that a Kathina ceremony was in session. Lucky us to have come at the right time! Kathina is a robe offering ritual that happens annually. During the festival, Buddhist devotees show their gratitude to the monks by donating money or items to the temple - mainly new robes, on this day. I was informed that each monk is allowed to receive two pieces of robes each year, no more than that.

We parked by the roadside a distance away as the carpark was full.

Below is a picture of the majestic entrance to the temple grounds.

Wat Chetawan - The Entrance

This is an overview of the place, which houses several shrines, a shop, a columbarium, a bell tower and other religious buildings.

Wat Chetawan Temple Grounds

Wat Chetawan Main Shrine

In the main shrine is a row of golden Buddha statues, each holding a pot. This is where important ceremonies are held.

Golden Buddha Statues

Wat Chetawan Main Shrine

The Sleeping Buddha Shrine.

Sleeping Buddha

We stayed to watch the procession. It began with devotees in the first few rows singing and dancing. They led the rest who carried various offerings, the most interesting being the money tree which I gathered from the web is called Badaytha Bin. Rain began to fall about ten minutes in. I took shelter at the bell tower, still watching the procession.

After circling the grounds several times, the devotees finally walked up the steps into the main shrine, where the monks where. Then, the chanting began. We left the place at this point.  I understand from my sister-in-law who is a Buddhist, that offerings will be presented after the chants.

Kathina Procession

Buddhist devotees heading into the main shrine to make offerings

I took the opportunity to record a short video of the event when I waited for the rain to stop.

Finally, fancy authentic Thai food? There's a makan (eatery) corner near the Sleeping Buddha shrine. We would have stopped for a meal, but we were still full from breakfast. Another time, surely!

A Thai Eatery