Prepare to make merit on the major Buddhist holy day. Asalha Puja Day, 29 Jul 2026. Check the proper candle procession method—whether to circle left or right—along with the chants Itipiso, Swakkhato, Supatipanno to enhance fortune and destiny.
Asalha Puja Day, 29 Jul 2026. Calling all spiritual seekers to visit temples, make merit, and boost their fortunes. Learn whether to circle left or right during the candle procession and update your chanting for the three rounds correctly to maximize auspiciousness.
Asalha Puja Day 2026. Falling on Wednesday, 29 July, this is one of the most important Buddhist days when Thai Buddhists gather to perform rituals honoring the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. For spiritual practitioners and those who enjoy making merit to enhance luck, this major holy day is an excellent time to accumulate good karma.
Starting the day with a pure heart helps welcome positive energy into life. You can choose from various meritorious acts as follows.
Offering alms and making offerings to monks. To increase abundance in life, ensuring sufficient provision.
Making charity donations and releasing animals. Redeeming the lives of cattle or buffalo, releasing birds or fish to extend your destiny and dispel misfortune.
Donating money. Contributing to temple utilities, placing donations for education, hospitals, or charitable foundations to bring light and help fellow humans.
An important evening activity on Asalha Puja Day is "the candle procession." However, many remain unsure which direction to circle for correct adherence to traditional beliefs.
According to belief, there are two types of candle procession:
Thaksinawart (circumambulation to the right). Walking clockwise is considered an auspicious direction.
Uttarawart (circumambulation to the left). Walking counterclockwise is seen as inauspicious, typically used in funerary rites.
Therefore, on important Buddhist days, one must "circle to the right" (Thaksinawart) three times around the ordination hall or stupa. The right side is regarded as the direction of revered teachers. Circling right expresses the highest respect to the Three Jewels, the refuge of Buddhists.
While circling, maintain a calm and focused mind. Do not wander aimlessly or talk. Hold flowers, incense, and candles, and recite chants to reflect on the qualities of the Three Jewels as follows.
(Chant Itipiso) Itipiso bhagava arahant sammasambuddho, vijja-carana-sampanno, sugato lokavidu, anuttaro purisa-damma-sarathi, sattha devamanussanam, buddho bhagavati.
(Brief meaning: The Buddha is free from defilements, self-enlightened, fully endowed with knowledge and conduct, well-gone, knower of the world.)
(Chant Swakkhato) Swakkhato bhagavata dhammo, sanditthiko, akaliko, ehipassiko, opanayiko, paccattaṃ veditabbo viññūhīti.
(Brief meaning: The Dharma expounded by the Blessed One is well proclaimed; it is directly visible, timeless, inviting one to come and see, leading onward, to be personally realized by the wise.)
(Chant Supatipanno) Supatipanno bhagavato savaka-sangho, ussupatipanno bhagavato savaka-sangho, jnayapatipanno bhagavato savaka-sangho, samijipatipanno bhagavato savaka-sangho, yattha ca cattari purisa-yugani atthapurisapukkala, esa bhagavato savaka-sangho, ahuneyyo, pahuneyyo, takkineyo, anjalikaraṇīyo, anuttaraṃ puññakkhettaṃ lokassāti.
(Brief meaning: The Sangha of the Blessed One's disciples practice rightly, conduct themselves well, practice to know the Dharma leading out of suffering; they are worthy of gifts and respect, incomparable among the worlds.)
start at the front of the ordination hall or principal Buddha statue. Upon finishing the three rounds, return to the starting point, quietly make a sincere wish, then place the flowers, incense, and candles at the designated temple area, marking the formal conclusion of the ceremony.
However, Asalha Puja Day 2026 is a wonderful opportunity for all Buddhists to gather at temples to make merit, accumulate karma through giving, observe precepts, and practice meditation. Performing the candle procession clockwise according to Thaksinawart while mindfully chanting to honor the Three Jewels not only preserves this beautiful tradition but also cultivates inner peace and enhances auspiciousness in life.