Devotees attended the gold-leaf covering ceremony of 99 sacred spheres at Wat Sawang Arom in Nakhon Pathom and participated in the Giant Phan chanting ritual for auspiciousness, while lottery enthusiasts examined the holy water basin and found lucky numbers to try their luck in the 1 March 2026 draw.
A reporter described the atmosphere on the evening of 26 Feb 2026 at Wat Sawang Arom, Khaekhaew, Khun Kaeo Subdistrict, Nakhon Chai Si District, Nakhon Pathom. The temple held a gold-leaf covering ceremony for 99 sacred spheres from 9 temples, donated to impoverished temples in 9 provinces, taking place from 12 Feb to 8 Mar 2026.
During the midpoint of the annual gold-leaf covering event, Phra Kru Yotithamanu-yut, or Luang Pho Pae, the abbot, performed the Giant Phan chanting ceremony to dispel bad luck and enhance blessings for devotees who came to apply gold leaf. This ritual added protection and converted misfortune into good fortune. The abbot invited the renowned original Giant Phan chanting monks from Wat Pho (Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm) to officiate, making the event grand. Devotees began reserving their participation from the afternoon.
The Giant Phan chanting ritual started at 7:00 p.m. Participants brought items provided by the temple: sacred cords, green cloth amulets of Thao Wessuwan, incense, and candles. They tied sacred cords connected to statues of Phra Ngern Phra Thong, Thao Wessuwan, and the hermit sage Thao Hiran Phanasun, all linked within the ceremony. Once tied, the cords were hung on the head. In front of the open area stood a holy water basin with cords connected from the chanting monks, surrounded by candles. After the ritual, Luang Pho Pae would use this water for blessings by bathing all attendees.
As the ritual began, participants sat with hands pressed respectfully, silently focusing their prayers. The monks chanted loudly to drive away negative forces. Some participants exhibited unusual behavior, standing to dance or roar animal sounds, prompting staff to closely monitor them. When sprinkled with holy water, they calmed down. The entire ceremony lasted two hours before concluding.
Afterwards, devotees lined up to have Luang Pho Pae mark their foreheads with a blessing. Then they proceeded to receive holy water sprinkled and a ritual bath from the large holy water basin used in the ceremony.
Before the holy water bathing, lottery players crowded around the basin to observe the drops of wax falling into the water, interpreting these as lucky numbers for the 1 March 2026 lottery draw. Most reported seeing the numbers 198 and 86, though interpretations varied depending on individual beliefs and perspectives.
Mr. Jiam Kunapong, 60, from Tha Muang District, Kanchanaburi Province, one of the participants, said he brought his family to cover the sacred spheres with gold leaf, making merit for nine temples. He planned to enjoy the sunflower fields in the evening but noticed heavy rain during the gold-leaf ceremony. When the Giant Phan chanting began, the rain stopped immediately, which he personally believed signified the ritual's sacred power, motivating him to join.
He also checked the lucky numbers from the holy water basin to play the 1/3/26 lottery. He said if he won a big prize, he would return to make merit by donating nine sacred spheres to temples in the coming year.