BANGKOK, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn, seated in a ceremonial pavilion inside Bangkok's Grand Palace, was anointed with Muratha Bhisek water on Saturday morning, which is an important part for the King to become justly and rightfully the head of state according to the tradition.
The Thai term "Muratha Bhisek" consists of two Sanskrit words of "Head" and "Abhiseka (pouring holy water)", and refers to the action of pouring holy water over the head of the King, called Ablution.
The whole ceremony is televised since 9:00 a.m. on Saturday. At about 10:00 a.m., the King arrived at the Grand Palace with Queen Suthida.
The King then changed into a white ritual garment and sat inside the ritual pavilion, where sacred water of "Muratha Bhisek", gathered from 5 sacred rivers, 4 ponds, is contained in an equipment above his head.
A presiding official turned on the equipment, sending consecrated water of purification over the King's head, which means offering the sovereignty to the King according to Brahmanism.
After that, the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, the head of the order of Buddhist monks, went forth to bestow benediction by sprinkling water onto the King's back and into his hands.
During the ceremonial procedure, while monks chanted prayers of benediction, officials played music, the artillerymen shot cannons for an auspicious victory to honor the King.
The Muratha Bhisek ritual is the first one to be performed on Saturday, which is to be followed by Abhiseka ritual, or the "Royal Anointment Ceremony", held in Baisal Daksin Throne Hall of the Grand Palace.
The King would be presented the second holy water, collected from over 100 spots throughout Thailand from the prime minister and other officials, during the Abhiseka ritual.
After the two rituals of accepting holy water, the King would be formally crowned and offered royal regalia among other rituals on Saturday, which is the first day of his 3-day coronation ceremony.
King Vajiralongkorn ascended to Thai throne in October 2016, becoming King Rama X.
