|
"Sart" is derived from an Indian word meaning autumn or the fall
season. It falls on the end of the tenth lunar month. In India this is
the time for the harvesting of grains and fruit and thus a time to
rejoice. Originally, this was a Brahministic festival but now it is
celebrated in the Buddhist wat, i.e., the main activity involves the
making of merit to monks.
 However, the
tenth lunar month is not harvesting time in Thailand. So farmers
usually plant a special type of glutinous rice which can be reaped at
this time to make "flat rice" of "khow mow", a main ingredient in the
preparation of "Krayasart", a type of dessert very similar to granola
bar with peanuts. There are also other types of sweet made from rice.
All these special delicacies for the festival are to be offered first
to monks for merit-making and then enjoyed by the people.
|
