Hundreds of dancers lead devotees in celebration to mark the start of Buddhist Lent in Thailand. 

Thousands of devotees and tourists converge of the towns and cities around the country to mark the start of the religious festival.

Footage from Ubon Ratchathani, northeastern Thailand, on July 17, shows dancers in traditional costume at the start of a parade of wax candle sculptures.

The Lenten period sees monks retreat to temples for the monsoon rainy season which ends at the end of September. 

Candles are used by the monks to dispel the gloom. 

Locals then make giant wax candle carvings to honour the monks. They are paraded through towns and cities and around temples. 

The most elaborate festival is held each year in Ubon Ratchathani province and sees hundreds of dancers and intricately carved wax candles.