All provinces except Bangkok have witnessed the time-honoured rite of water being collected in their areas for use in His Majesty the King's coronation on May 4.
The water fetching rites were televised yesterday in elaborate ceremonies presided over by provincial governors and their deputies.
The water collection got under way between the auspicious hours of 11.52am and 12.38pm yesterday. It was obtained from 107 sources across 76 provinces, except Bangkok where the rite is due to be conducted on April 12.
According to officials, there are 60 provinces offering one source of water each, seven provinces with two sources each, five provinces with three sources each, three provinces with four sources each and one province with six sources.
In Bangkok, the water gathering rite will be performed at Sattrakhom hall, a venue designated for sanctifying weapons and making holy water, inside the Grand Palace.
In addition, the water is being procured from four ponds and five rivers for the Muratha Bhisek -- the action of pouring holy water over the head of the King. The four ponds are the Sa Kaew, Sa Ka, Sa Yommana and Sa Ket in Muang district of Suphan Buri while the five rivers are the Bang Pakong, Pasak, Chao Phraya, Ratchaburi and Phetchaburi.
Water is being fetched from the Bang Pakong River in Ongkharak district of Nakhon Nayok, Pasak River in Sao Hai district of Saraburi, Chao Phraya River in Muang district of Ang Thong, Ratchaburi River in Amphawa district of Samut Songkhram, and Phetchaburi River in Bang Lat district of Phetchaburi.
On Saturday, governors of the 76 provinces led the water collection ceremonies in their respective provinces. If the province had more than one water source, deputy governors were assigned to take charge.
At each source, water was scooped up and poured into a brass bowl tied with a white ribbon. The bowl was then delivered to a venue set up in each province for consecrating the water.
On Tuesday, the water from the bowl will be transferred to a vase to be transported to the Interior Ministry for keeping the next day. The water from Bangkok is also kept there.
On April 18, the vases containing water from the 77 provinces along with vessels of water from the nine sacred ponds and rivers are to be placed at the Wat Suthat Thepphawararam in Bangkok where the water will be collectively consecrated.
On April 19, the water will be taken to the Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram (Wat Phra Kaeo) inside the Grand Palace in preparation for the Muratha Bhisek ceremony.
The Muratha Bhisek water forms the central part of the Song Phra Muratha Bhisek which means to offer sovereignty to a person.
