During the months of Wesak (May to commemorate the birth, enlightenment & death of Buddha) & Poson (June) a community may set up a Thoron. These are huge elaborate structures set up on scaffolding with pictures depicting scenes from the life of Buddha. They are illuminated at night with very elaborate “festival” lights. The structure will be illuminated nightly for a week or so & every night a local dignitary will attend to turn on the lights. Groups & individuals sing songs about Buddha & families come out to admire the Thoron. There is often a fair at the entrance where there will be many stalls selling plastic toys, light refreshments, candy floss, popcorn, spicy beans, ice cream etc. At some of the very large displays there are even fairground rides typically a roundabout & a motor cyclist on a “death” wall.
Lighting Sequences
Details from a Thoron showing scenes from Lord Buddha’s life
