This breathtaking giant yellow candle was made to mark the start of Buddhist Lent in Thailand.

The 10 metre (32ft) high carving had scenes from Buddhist mythology to mark the start of the religious period. 

Thousands of devotees visited the structure at the Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival in northeastern Thailand, on July 17.

The Lenten period sees monks retreat to temples to meditate and read scriptures during 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. 

Though the candles are never burned, they have become a celebration of the festival around the country.