article_snippet: Each March, devotees from across Thailand travel to the Nakhon Pathom province to have their bodies adorned with intricate traditional inkings.
article_snippet: About 30 minutes outside of Bangkok is the Wat Bangphra Buddist temple, famous for the daily tattoos, known as 'Sak Yants,' given by the monks that live and train there.
article_snippet: These 'magic tattoos' are believed to have mystical powers, the ability to ward off bad luck and the power to protect wearers from harm.
article_snippet: Each March, devotees from across Thailand travel to the Wat Bangphra Buddist temple to receive 'magic tattoos' Buddhist monks adorn adherents with intricate inkings that are believed to have mystical powers and provide strength and security .
article_snippet: Beginning the evening before, adherents may visit the Bangphra temple to begin the process of tattooing.
article_snippet: Artists work through the night to complete the detailed designs, inked on visitors' chests, backs, legs and arms, which are believed to provide those who wear them with strength and security.
article_snippet: Aside from simply amassing new body art, adherents also visit the monastery to pay adherents respects to the Bangphra temple's master tattooist.
article_snippet: Participants receive tattoos via a traditional steel rod sharpened to a point during the Magic Tattoo Festival in the Nakhron Pathom province .
article_snippet: As well as having tattoos applied or touched up, believers also visit the Bangphra temple to pay respects to the temple's master tattooist .
article_snippet: These intricate tattoos have deep religious meaning and are believed to provide strength and security to those who have These intricate tattoos .
article_snippet: During the Magic Tattoo Festival, Buddhist monks use traditional needles to tattoo devotees, who believe that the inkings have mystical powers .
article_snippet: The ink is made up of ingredients such as snake venom and ash and the monk blows on the tattoo when complete to infuse the tattoo with power .
article_snippet: Many attendees believe that the tattoos covering Many attendees bodies help to ward off bad luck and protect Many attendees from harm .
article_snippet: Traditionally, the tattoos covering their bodies are done with a 'mai sak,' a long bamboo stick sharpened to a point, by the Buddhist monks.
article_snippet: Monks bless the tattoo upon the tattoo completion and then blow on the tattoo, which is believed to infuse the inking with power.
article_snippet: Each year, adherents may return to the temple to have adherents tattoos bestowed again with new healing and protective properties.
highlights_snippet: On the first Saturday of March, believers visit the Wat Bangphra Buddist temple to have believers bodies tattooed .
  
highlights_snippet: Known for the 'sak yants' given by the monks who live there, these 'magic tattoos' are said to have mystical powers .
  