The Center for Indian Studies, Faculty of Political Science, Ubon Ratchathani University in collaboration with Central Ubon Ratchathani Shopping Center and Office of Digital Technology and Learning Resources held a ceremony “Mother Lakshmi: Faith, Wisdom, and Prosperity"The ceremony of receiving and worshipping the LordMother Lakshmi“Pattamala Devi”To promote learning about India in the dimensions of religion, faith, art and culture as well as create a space for learning and cultural exchange within the university.
The Queen Mother Lakshmi, supported by Central Ubon Ratchathani Shopping Center, will be enshrined atIndia CornerofUbuntu LibraryTo be part of the learning space on theIndian StudiesThe event was attended by executives, faculty, staff, students, and distinguished guests on the 3rd floor of Isan Zone, Information Center Building, Office of Digital Technology and Learning Resources on August 31, 2026. 
At the opening of the ceremony, Dr. Piyamas Thammongkol, Deputy Director of the Center for Indian Studies, Faculty of Political Science, Ubon Ratchathani University, said that today's ceremony is more meaningful than the delivery of sculptures, but it connects the stories of India, Ubon Ratchathani, art, culture and learning. The Lakshmi "Patamala Devi" originated from the Miracle of Candle 2025: Tien Phraya Miracle, which combines Ubon Ratchathani's candle-carving wisdom with stories and symbols from Indian civilization.“Patma” means “lotus flower”, which is also linked to the word “Ubon” meaning lotus flower, thus reflecting the convergence of India and Ubon Ratchathani through art and faith.
Mr. Thanapat Wongprasert, Director of Central Ubon Ratchathani Shopping Center, discusses the history of Lord Mother Lakshmi. The sculpture was created from the Miracle of Candle 2025 event to continue the tradition of candle parade and bring the identity of Ubon Ratchathani province to create in a contemporary style. The sculpture of Mother Lakshmi is more than 5 meters tall, created by Khru Cane-Chalida Poolsap, together with young artists and the fragrant candle group, Dej Udom.Conveying the wisdom of Ubon Ratchathani candle carving through the story of Mother Lakshmi, a deity connected with beauty, fertility, fortune and prosperity, surrounded by 2,568 lotus flowers, reflecting Ubon Ratchathani as a “Bua Ngam Land”. This handover of Mother Lakshmi to the university changed the role of the work from an “exhibition” to a “learning medium” and reflected the cooperation between the private sector, the university, artists and the community.to bring cultural capital into education, tourism and the creative economy.
As Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atipong Suriya, Director of the Office of Digital Technology and Learning Resources, said that today's libraries are not limited to being a place to store books and provide information services, but to evolve into a learning space or learning space that connects books, technology, culture, and experiences. The inclusion of Lakshmi at India Corner adds a dimension from an “information” space to an “experience” space.Visitors may begin by appreciating the sculpture and then ask questions about Lakshmi, the meaning of lotus flowers, or the relationship between Indian culture and Ubon Ratchathani. These questions will become the starting point for learning. Digital Technology Bureau and Learning Resources also have a way to develop India Corner into a living learning space through activities, exhibitions, talks, as well as the adoption of digital technologies such as QR Code, multilingual media, and online knowledge repository for Indian Studies to develop India.Corner to be more than an exhibition corner, but “Gateway to India from Ubon Ratchathani University”
In the event, there was a handover ceremony for Her Majesty Princess Lakshmi performing Indian art and culture by students in South Asian Politics and Foreign Affairs Program, Faculty of Political Science, Ubon Ratchathani University, and a ceremony to worship Her Majesty Mother Lakshmi and Charoen Sirimongkol before ending with a special lecture entitled “Her Majesty Lakshmi: Faith, Wisdom, and Prosperity” by Dr. Lalida Boonmee and Dr. Yong Boonari, Faculty of Applied Arts and Architecture, Ubon Ratchathani University.
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It is another step in cooperation in bringing art and faith to learn and bringing Ubon Ratchathani's cultural capital to connect with knowledge about India Education in line with the concept of “Faith to Wisdom and Wisdom to Prosperity Together” while opening up a space for Ubu Library to be a lively link between knowledge, culture and people between Thailand and India.
Corporate Communications, Ubon Ratchathani University, News
