In the afternoon of the second day, Jao Paw Guan is carried on a bamboo rocket in a procession that heads to Wat Phon Chai temple.

The procession almost includes monks lifted head high on wooden platforms and revered images of Buddha.

There’s an air of celebration to the whole affair and it gets particularly raucous as it enters the temple grounds.

After the Buddha images are returned to the temple, bamboo rockets are launched into the sky in the belief that they will bring on annual rains and a plentiful rice harvest.

Most of the powerful homemade fireworks are launched by locals who are well oiled by rice whisky and keeping your distance is advised. A few monks also get involved in the pyrotechnics.

On the third and final day of the festival, the mood is more reflective with many of the faithful attending sermons in the temple.