Loy Krathong – The Glowing Festival

One of the most spectacular festivals in the Thai calendar is without a doubt the Loy Krathong Festival, Thailand’s very own “Festival of Lights”. Hundreds of glowing lanterns illuminate the sky, giving the entire nation a magical ambience. Enjoy the intriguing aspects of this beautiful Chinese festival, which goes all out in making this event memorable and truly special. During Loy Krathong, the locals perform a series of symbolic rituals, each quite interesting to watch and even more exciting to try out. The festival is believed to bless you with a fresh start as you wash away bad memories with the flames that sail away into the sea or up onto the magical night sky.

The Loy Krathong falls every year on the full moon day of the 12th month of the Chinese lunar calendar, which corresponds to somewhere in the end of November. The festival is devoted to the Goddess of water, Mae Kongha, as a means to thank her for sustenance and as a prayer for good fortune in the year that follows. The celebrations during Loy Krathong are grand and pompous and are glorified by the loud concerts, beauty pageants, and the endless family celebrations. Everywhere you wander, you would be treated with an array of delicious Thai goodies. There is color, festivity, laughter and Thai flavors; the perfect combination for the perfect celebration.

Loy Krathong is symbolized by two primary ritualistic acts; the Krathong and the Khom. The Krathong is actually a miniature raft made from banana leaves and lotus flowers with a number of incense sticks and candles inserted at the top. It is a crafty little raft whose flame from the candle is believed to carry one’s bad memories away. With this in mind, the raft is set to sail along the Chayo Phraya River of Thailand, illuminating the waters with a magical glow. The Khom, which are the flying lanterns are also set up in the sky for the exact same reason. Here again, the fire is thought to carry away one’s bad memories of the past, giving believers a fresh start with the new season.

Experience a welcome dose of the enchanting festival of Loy Krathong and you will truly be rejuvenated. To experience this ultimate bliss, stay at the Millennium Resort Patong Phuket, as you will find that this Phuket Resort is known for its impeccable location and un-matched luxury, and is ranked an excellent Patong beach resort amongst tourists who visit the region.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry. Google+