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The long-tailed macaque, also known as the crab-eating macaque, is a native species of Southeast Asia. These macaques are found in large numbers in Lopburi. Lopburi, one of the oldest cities in Thailand, is the proud host of the monkey buffet festival. This festival is celebrated annually in the month of November.
Famous worldwide, people from various countries come to visit and experience the mesmerising monkey buffet festival. The festival shows threads of India-Thailand relationships as the Hindu God Hanuman is said to be the main deity of the festival. The festival is like a huge monkey party.
Let’s learn more about why the monkey buffet festival is celebrated and its significance.
The monkey buffet festival history shows the widespread use of Sanskrit texts. The roots go back to Treta Yug, where Lord Rama, one of the Dashavatara (ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu), was sent to exile per his father’s wishes. Rama, along with his wife Sita and younger brother Laxman, roamed in various forests of India.
After the completion of 13 years, once a demoness named Surpanakha (the one with sharp nails) was passing through the jungle. She spotted young, handsome Rama and was mesmerised by his beauty. Surpanakha approached Rama disguised as a young, beautiful maiden and confessed her love. Rama, the devoted husband he was, refused her politely and told her that he was married. Surpanakha was devastated and turned around and saw gorgeous, lotus-eyed Sita. Her eyes filled with rage, and within a blink of an eye, she returned to her demoness form and went to attack Sita. Laxman, who was watching this from afar, swiftly came in between and cut off Surpanakha’s nose. Wounded and insulted, she rushed to the court of Ravana and made up a false story about being attacked by Laxman as she wished to bring the beautiful Sita to Ravana.
Ravana believed her story and, by treachery, kidnapped Sita. Rama and Laxman’s search for Sita along with Hanuman and the monkey troops and their fight with Ravana is the central story of the Hindu epic Ramayana. Hanuman, who is the greatest devotee of Lord Rama, plays a major role in this. Hanuman is said to be a fraction of the Great Lord Shiva’s soul. He is Vanar, i. e. half-monkey and half-human.
Why is the monkey buffet festival celebrated?
The long-tailed macaques are said to be the descendants of God Hanuman. Hence they are unharmed and worshipped by people in Thailand. Due to this, their population increased and attracted tourists, and tourism became the main source of income for the locals. That’s why a hotelier named Yongyuth Kitwattananusont came up with the idea of the Monkey Buffet Festival in 1989. He later proceeded to launch it with the help of the Tourism Authority of Thailand in 2007. It is celebrated on the last Sunday of November every year.
The preparation
The monkey buffet festival takes place in the ruins of the Phra Prang Sam Yot temple in Lopburi. A beautiful, colourful banquet awaits the guests of honour, the long-tailed macaques, who are said to bring good luck to the area and its people. A huge pyramid of more than four tons of fruits and vegetables is built in the centre of the festival. The following fruits are mainly included:
Bananas
Apples
Pineapples
Watermelons
The celebration
The celebration of the monkey buffet festival starts with a dance with dancers wearing monkey costumes. People wear masks and caps with monkeys on them. The celebration takes place throughout the city, and one can see thousands of monkeys everywhere!
Various dolls of monkeys are decorated and gifted with fruits and vegetables. Then the hosts of the festival unwrap the vibrantly hued buffet. The festival starts with the arrival of the monkeys. The residents and the tourists dance and sing while the monkeys enjoy the feast wholeheartedly. The monkeys feed on not only fruits and vegetables but also juices, various kinds of desserts, jellies, candies, grilled sausages, etc.
Benefits for locals
The increase in tourism benefits the locals who earn from selling souvenirs. As tourists usually come to stay for a few days, homestays and hotels benefit greatly. The restaurants offer delicacies and special cuisines to attract tourists and make huge profits in the bargain. As Bangkok, a popular tourist attraction, is not very far from Lopburi, the benefits for locals have increased. However, a drawback to this is an uneasy, uncomfortable lifestyle as the macaques create huge chaos living in human settlements.
Conclusion
The monkey buffet festival celebrated in Lopburi, Thailand, since 2007 showcases human-animal relationships. The monkey buffet festival is celebrated in honour of the long-tailed macaques, a native species of monkeys, said to be the descendants of God Hanuman, the greatest devotee of Lord Rama. More than four tons of fruits and vegetables are served to these macaques on the last Sunday of November. Tourists from all over the world visit to see this amazing sight.
