Loy Krathong is one of the most popular festivals in Thailand, celebrated annually on the night of the full moon in the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar. This year, the festival will be held on November 19th, 2021. The festival is also known as the “Festival of Lights” and is celebrated throughout the country with great enthusiasm and joy.
During the festival, people gather near rivers, canals, and lakes to float krathongs, which are small boats made of banana leaves, flowers, candles, and incense. These krathongs are floated down the waterways as a way to pay respect to the goddess of water, Phra Mae Khongkha. The festival is also believed to bring good luck and happiness to those who participate.
Aside from floating krathongs, the festival is also celebrated with fireworks, traditional Thai dance performances, and beauty pageants. Additionally, in the northern city of Chiang Mai, the festival coincides with the Yi Peng festival, where thousands of paper lanterns are released into the sky, creating a breathtaking sight. Overall, Loy Krathong is a beautiful festival that showcases the rich cultural heritage of Thailand and is a must-see for anyone visiting the country during this time.
History of Loy Krathong
Loy Krathong is a popular festival celebrated in Thailand and other countries in Southeast Asia. The festival is held on the full moon day of the twelfth lunar month, which usually falls in November. The festival is also known as the “Festival of Lights” because of the thousands of candlelit krathongs that are floated on rivers and canals during the festival.
The exact origin of Loy Krathong is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the ancient Thai capital of Sukhothai during the 13th or 14th century. The festival is thought to have been created as a way to pay respect to and thank the Goddess of Water, Phra Mae Khongkha, who is believed to have provided the water that sustained the people of Sukhothai.
Another theory suggests that Loy Krathong was originally a Brahmanical festival that was adopted by the Thai people during the Sukhothai period. The festival was later combined with the Thai tradition of floating lanterns, known as Yi Peng, to create the modern-day Loy Krathong festival.
Regardless of its origins, Loy Krathong has become an important cultural event in Thailand and other countries in Southeast Asia. The festival is celebrated with parades, beauty contests, and cultural performances, as well as the floating of krathongs and the release of lanterns into the sky.
Traditions and Customs
Loy Krathong Festival is an annual traditional Siamese festival celebrated by Thais to pay respect to the Goddess of Water and the Buddha. The festival is celebrated on the full moon night of the 12th lunar month, which usually falls in November. During the festival, people release krathongs, which are small lotus-shaped baskets made of banana leaves, decorated with flowers, incense, and candles, onto the water. The act of releasing krathongs symbolizes the release of negative thoughts and emotions and is believed to bring good luck and prosperity.
The festival is celebrated all over Thailand, but the most popular destination to celebrate Loy Krathong is in Chiang Mai, where the festival is called Yi Peng. During Yi Peng, people release thousands of lanterns into the sky, creating a magical and unforgettable sight.
In addition to releasing krathongs and lanterns, there are several other customs and traditions associated with Loy Krathong. Here are some of them:
- Wearing traditional Thai clothing, such as the pha sin, a long skirt worn by women, and the pha nung, a long piece of cloth worn by men.
- Attending parades and cultural performances, which showcase traditional Thai music, dance, and costumes.
- Eating traditional Thai food, such as khao tom mat, sticky rice with coconut and banana, and kanom krok, coconut pancakes.
- Releasing firecrackers and fireworks, which are believed to scare away evil spirits and bring good luck.
- Visiting temples and making merit by offering food, flowers, and candles to the monks.
Overall, Loy Krathong is a beautiful and meaningful festival that celebrates Thai culture and tradition. Whether you release krathongs onto the water, lanterns into the sky, or simply enjoy the festivities, Loy Krathong is an experience that should not be missed.
Significance of Loy Krathong
Loy Krathong Festival is one of the most significant and vibrant festivals celebrated in Thailand. The festival is observed on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month, usually in November. The festival is celebrated to pay respect to the Goddess of Water, Phra Mae Khongkha, and to express gratitude for the water resources that sustain life.
During the festival, people float krathongs, which are small boats made of banana leaves, flowers, candles, and incense sticks, on the rivers, canals, and lakes. The krathongs are believed to carry away bad luck and negative energy, and to bring good luck and happiness to the people who release them. The festival is also associated with the belief that the krathongs carry the sins and wrongdoings of the people, which are then washed away by the water.
The festival is also significant for Buddhists, as it is believed that the festival coincides with the enlightenment of the Buddha. According to legend, the Buddha attained enlightenment on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month, and thus the festival is also celebrated as a tribute to the Buddha.
The festival is celebrated all over Thailand, but some cities are particularly famous for their celebrations. Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and Sukhothai are some of the top cities to experience the Loy Krathong Festival. In these cities, the festival is celebrated with grandeur and pomp, with fireworks, cultural performances, and street food stalls.
Celebrations Across Thailand
Loy Krathong is one of the most celebrated festivals in Thailand. It is a festival of lights and water, and it is celebrated in many different ways across the country. Here are some of the most popular ways that Loy Krathong is celebrated in Thailand.
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is one of the best places to experience Loy Krathong. The city is famous for its Yi Peng festival, which is celebrated at the same time as Loy Krathong. During the festival, thousands of lanterns are released into the sky, creating a magical sight. In addition to the lanterns, people also release krathongs into the river, creating a beautiful display of lights on the water.
Bangkok
Bangkok is another great place to experience Loy Krathong. The city’s Chao Phraya River is the center of the celebrations, with many people releasing krathongs into the water. There are also many cultural performances, parades, and other events throughout the city.
Sukhothai
The ancient city of Sukhothai is the birthplace of Loy Krathong, and it is still one of the best places to experience the festival. The city’s historical park is lit up with thousands of candles and lanterns, creating a magical atmosphere. Visitors can also take part in traditional Thai activities, such as making krathongs and joining in cultural performances.
Ayutthaya
The ancient city of Ayutthaya is another popular destination for Loy Krathong. The city’s historical park is transformed into a sea of lights, with many people releasing krathongs into the water. There are also cultural performances, parades, and other events throughout the city.
Overall, Loy Krathong is a festival that is celebrated in many different ways across Thailand. Whether you are in Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, or any other part of the country, you are sure to experience the magic and beauty of this festival of lights and water.
Conclusion
Loy Krathong is a truly beautiful and enchanting festival that is celebrated with great enthusiasm and excitement throughout Thailand. This festival is a time when people come together to pay respects to the goddess of water and to celebrate the end of the rainy season.
The festival is marked by the release of thousands of krathongs, which are small boats made of banana leaves and decorated with flowers, candles, and incense. These krathongs are floated down rivers and canals, and the sight of thousands of glowing krathongs floating on the water is truly awe-inspiring.
Aside from the krathongs, Loy Krathong is also celebrated with fireworks, parades, and traditional Thai music and dance performances. The festival is a great time to experience Thai culture and to immerse yourself in the local way of life.
If you’re planning a trip to Thailand, be sure to schedule your visit around Loy Krathong so that you can experience this magical festival for yourself. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a first-time visitor to Thailand, Loy Krathong is an experience that you won’t soon forget.
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