Vassa candle

Tchen-t'an was an ancient Angkorian rite that was associated with a large candle, sometimes compared to the Vassa candle.[2] According to the Chinese diplomat Zhou Daguan who visited Angkor in the 12th century, tchen-t'an was a rite of deflowering girls between the ages of seven and nine years.[3]

Archaeologists found the remains of a sandstone candle holder made by Buddhists at Wat Langka Krao in Siem Reap between 1807 and 1857. The oldest written Buddhist reference to the Vassa candle is in the Cambodian Royal Chronicles, composed between 1848 and 1859 during the reign of King Ang Duong.[4]

In the pre-electric era, people made temple offerings of candles that monks could use to illuminate temples during the darker days of the rainy season. Candle-giving morphed into the Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival, one of Thailand's more colourful festivals.[5] The candles are carved a few days before the festival with designs that are so intricate that some observers consider them to be "extravagant".[6] In various localities of Thailand, teams come from all over the world for competitions carving these giant wax artworks.[7]

In Cambodia, an annual ceremony known as sett tean Vassa is held at the royal palace to mould Vassa candles.[8] While sitting on his throne, the Khmer monarch pours the melted wax into moulds that are held by the purohit baku, the priest who serves the palace.

Men usually carry the Vassa candle, bringing it to Buddhist pagodas in an elaborate procession.[9][10] Carrying and offering the Vassa candle is an honor that is highly sought by government officials and benefactors of Cambodian pagodas.[11]

While monks have historically lighted the Vassa candle, laypeople have more recently been granted this privilege.[12] In the past, the candle could be lit only with fire coming from a stone beaten by a lighter or by fire obtained by the friction of two bamboo sticks. Today, a match is allowed to be used.[1] Once lit, the candle burns for the entire length of the Vassa festival.