Devotees joined the gilding ceremony of 99 boundary spheres from 9 temples at Wat Sawang Arom, Nakhon Pathom, and participated in the grand Paan Yakk chanting ceremony for auspicious blessings. Meanwhile, lottery enthusiasts observed the holy water basin and found lucky numbers for the 1 March 2026 lottery draw.
A reporter described the atmosphere on the evening of 26 Feb 2026 at Wat Sawang Arom, Khae Thaeo, Khun Kaeo Subdistrict, Nakhon Chai Si District, Nakhon Pathom Province. The temple was hosting the gilding ceremony of 99 boundary spheres from 9 temples, donated to 9 impoverished temples across 9 provinces, held from 12 Feb to 8 Mar 2026.
Midway through the ceremony each year, Phra Kru Yotithammanuyut, known as Luang Pho Pae, the abbot, performs the grand Paan Yakk chanting ritual to dispel misfortune, alter fate, and bring blessings to devotees who come to gild the spheres. This not only grants merit but also protects against misfortune turning bad into good. The original Paan Yakk chanting master, renowned from Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklaram (Wat Pho), was invited to lead the ceremony, making it grand. Devotees arrived in large numbers to reserve their places from the afternoon.
The reporter also noted that the grand Paan Yakk chanting ceremony began at 7:00 p.m. Devotees brought sets provided by the temple, including sacred cords, green talisman cloths depicting the guardian deity Vessavana, incense, and candles. They tied sacred cords connecting statues of Phra Ngern, Phra Thong, Vessavana, and the hermit Ruesi Hiranyaphanasura present at the event. After tying, the cords were placed around their heads. In front of the open courtyard was a holy water basin connected by cords from the chanting monks, surrounded by candles. After the ceremony, Luang Pho Pae would use this water as holy water to bathe all participants.
When the ceremony began, attendees sat with hands pressed together in quiet meditation, focusing their prayers. The monks' chanting echoed powerfully, driving away negative forces. Some participants even stood up to dance and roar with animal-like sounds, prompting officials to closely monitor them. When holy water was sprinkled, the participants calmed down. The ritual lasted two hours and then concluded.
Afterward, devotees queued to have Luang Pho Pae anoint their foreheads. Once completed, they lined up again to receive holy water sprinkled and bathed from the large holy water basin used during the ceremony.
Before receiving the holy water bath, lottery enthusiasts gathered to observe the drops of candle wax falling into the holy water basin, interpreting the shapes as lucky numbers for the 1 March 2026 lottery draw. Most reported seeing numbers 198 and 86, though interpretations varied according to individual belief and perception.
Mr. Jiam Kunapong, 60, from Tha Muang District, Kanchanaburi Province, one of the ceremony participants, shared that he brought his family to gild the boundary spheres and make merit at 9 temples. He also intended to visit the sunflower fields in the evening. During the gilding ceremony, heavy rain suddenly fell, but as the Paan Yakk chanting began, the rain stopped immediately. He personally believed this showed the ritual’s sacred power, which motivated him to join the ceremony.
He also said he observed the lucky numbers in the holy water basin to try his luck in the 1 March 2026 lottery. If he wins a big prize, he plans to return next year to donate 9 boundary spheres for the ceremony then.