Lampang readies for annual fair
Lampang will showcase its glorious history during the Ngan Luang Viang Lakorn Fair, to be held on Monday and Tuesday.
Wat Phra That Lampang Luang in Koh Kha district will serve as a magnificent backdrop for the light and sound performances, featuring the establishment of Lampang town about 1,300 years ago as well as showcasing Lampang’s traditional arts and crafts.
The annual event will be divided by day and night. During the daytime, there will be traditional parades of food offerings for monks and young novices, Lanna traditional dances, fire dancing and a horse-drawn carriage, which is the province’s modern symbol.
The night shows and activities include traditional dinner, or khantoke, with theme shows. This year, the shows will be about historic hero Nan Thip Chang, who led the Lampang people in a fight against invaders. His descendants played an important role in liberating other northern provinces from Burmese occupation almost 300 year ago.
Each year, the parade comes with a different theme. So, you may come across the elegant floats of the royal family of Lampang, or five important Buddha images of the province.
Lampang’s history dates back 1,300 years. Its establishment has deep relationships with its neighbouring province Lamphun. When Queen Chamma Dhevi from Lavo (presently Lop Buri) travelled to the North to establish Haripunchai (Lamphun) in the year 663, she found a lively small village situated on a plain by the Wang River, surrounded by abundant rice paddies.
After the establishment of Lamphun, Queen Chamma Dhevi sent one of her sons to establish and rule Ar-lumphang town, which evolved into Lampang. Like Lamphun, the layout of Lampang’s old town is in the shape of conch.
The town’s official symbol is the white rooster, which comes from a legend about Lord Buddha. One day, Lord Buddha planned a visit to Lampang. God Indra, afraid the town dwellers may wake up late and miss the chance to make merit by offering food, transformed into a white rooster and woke the people up at dawn. Thus, white roosters can be found throughout the town.
The event will see other traditional shows which include the Puja traditional drum dance and the long-nails dance. There will also be contests. For more information, call Lampang Provincial Office at 054-265-027.