CityNews – around midnight of 10th (which was immediately followed by 11th December) 2019, at Upakut temple in Chang Khlan, Mueang district, Chiang Mai, midnight alms was held.
Nearly a thousand people including locals and tourists were waiting in queues to make merit to the over 300 monks and novices from many temples in Chiang Mai city. The road had to be temporarily closed to traffic. Although the weather on that night was very cold, the faithfilul came out in droves (as is Lanna tradition) to ask for blessings, success and wealth.
The ceremony began around 10 pm of 10th December with monks’ chanting of holy Buddha’s mantra and sermons.
Legend has it that an Upakut monk would transform himself into a novice to save humankind at midnight, anyone who makes alms offering to him would be blessed with success and wealth.