Gin Salat reminds me of Japan’s Bon Festival or Mexico’s Día de los Muertos. In Thailand, we honor the deceased by creating “salats” adorned with household goods. The idea being that whatever things the dead used while living, like toothbrushes and toothpaste, are needed again in the afterlife too.
Last year on November 5th, in Lamphun, my family celebrated Gin Salat. This is not a common or well-known holiday. You won’t see Gin Salat in the cities, in guidebooks or the Internet. (At least I haven’t so far.)
Most likely because Gin Salat is considered ‘old fashioned’ or ‘country’. But since my mom is from Lamphun, I was fortunate enough to attend these celebrations in 2009 and last year. 2012 was a particularly special year as Gin Salat was celebrated at our family temple.
Life, the Universe, and Lani 
I can’t say that I’ve ever heard of this holiday before. Interesting and very colorful.
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Yes. I remembered trying to find out more about this since my mother’s explanations aren’t always satisfying and she’s no Buddhism expert, but there isn’t anything out there (at least in English). It seems very Chinese in origins ala ancestor worship.
And super colorful indeed! Thanks!
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You got some great photos here, especially the one you used as the “featured image”. Very colorful!
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Thanks Eric. I feel lucky to have been part of the event for 2 years now!!!
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I was not aware of this festival until I saw your post. What wonderful towers of color the household goods make. For your visit to this festival, and pictures which captured it so beautifully, I offer you the “Awakening Mindlessness” blog award for spiritual content.
Now, if I can just manage to orchestrate such a festival at my own ashram in Pondicherry, I could amass enough tooth brushes and toilet paper to not have to shop for them for years to come, which is not to say that would be my main objective.
I’ve sent you the award and installation instructions if you are interested.
Namaste
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Oh thank you Sri. I am so honored and overjoyed to meet this award face to face. You are too kind. I hope to visit Pondicherry one day and thank you in person.
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Absolutely beautiful, Lani. I’d never heard of this festival, and at first, when I saw the title of your post, I thought it meant “eat salad”! Thanks for sharing all the colorful photos and meaning of the salats. I love the Asian way of honoring family who have pssed on so they are not forgotten.
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Thanks Amy. There was plenty of food there, but no salad 😛
Yes it’s a nice way to honor family, but like any religious ceremony, there’s a lot of waiting too!
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