Travellers to Thailand should always make it a point to explore its rich religious heritage. Being based at Bangkok serviced apartments ensures maximum convenience in doing so and Sathorn apartments at Ascott Sathorn Bangkok make for an ideal option. A holiday celebrating Gautama Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing, Visakha Bucha, more commonly known as Vesak is celebrated in most of the Asian countries including Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and India. The date of Visakha Bucha varies from year to year. Usually it falls on either May or April and sometimes even June. Celebrated on a full moon day, it is the most important day for Buddhists.

The Vesak Festival is an important occasion for Sri Lankan Buddhists, who join other Buddhists around the world in celebrating this event which falls on the day of the full moon in the month of May. For the Buddhist faithful this religious event has become a cultural occasion as well, with many interesting customs and traditions being associated with it. Vesak Day has a threefold significance for Buddhists. According to Buddhist scriptures the birth of the Buddha occurred on such a full moon night in May, when Queen Mahamaya gave birth to the future Buddha. The second momentous event which took place on this day is the Enlightenment of the Buddha who thereby became omniscient and the Supreme Being, all-knowing and free of all defilements. …

Jalan Jaksa in central Jakarta is a historic street that housed students of the Jakarta Law Academy during Dutch times. In the late 1960s the street developed in quite another direction when it became famous among international backpackers and the first budget hotel in the country was established there. With the addition of several more hostels and cheap hotels it became the central point from which backpackers took off to other destinations in the country. In the mid 1990s a street festival was started to popularize the area further and to celebrate the culture of the Betawi people who are indigenous residents of Jakarta. The 400 meter road now has 27 budget hotels and hostels and hundreds of rooms rented by local residents, restaurants, money …

A tradition that has come forward 20 centuries as a religious ceremony and folk custom the Dragon Boat festival known as Duanwu is now a world renowned festival and is fast emerging an international sport. A dragon boat is a watercraft that is human powered and is built out of teak wood in differing shapes and sizes. For the purpose of the festival these boats are decorated with ornate heads and tails of Chinese dragons. The festival is held in June and includes a number of customary activities. The Chinese have dumplings, rice and drink Realgar wine to celebrate before the race. Celebrated in Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia this festival, marks the dawn of summer in the region and according to Chinese tradition is the …

Anantara Dhigu Maldives a Maldives Resort offers spacious luxury accommodation facilities to all guests. Accommodation in Maldives would be brilliant with more classy places like Anantara Dhigu Maldives. Maldives is a 100% Muslim country. So all Islamic festivals are celebrated in a higher key in these islands. One of the richly celebrated festivals is the Kuda Eid Festival. Also known as Fithru Eid this festival marks the end of Ramadan which takes place throughout one whole month. The Kuda Eid Festival lasts for three days at a stretch. On the first day people o to the mosque early in the morning and seek for blessings. Later on hearty feasts are conducted with the gatherings of relatives and friends. Special offerings are done to the poor …

Among the many festivals that takes place in India to celebrate diverse occasions is Ram Navami commemorated in the Hindu month of Chaitra that falls between April and March, to celebrate the birth of Rama. It is a hugely important festival for the Hindus as Rama is considered an incarnation of the god Vishnu. In some parts of India it is celebrated as Vasanta Navratri over nine days. In households observing the festival the day begins with a prayer to the sun and at mid day, the supposed time of Rama’s birth, special prayers and poojas are performed in Ram temples big and small all over India. Some people start the festival with a fast and some others fast for the whole nine day duration …

Eaton Smart, New Delhi Airport Transit Hotel is one of the Hotels in New Delhi Airport offering comfort and relaxation to all transit passengers. This New Delhi Airport Hotel is set up in a way that passengers feel refreshed after an exhilarating journey, and makes it easier for them to continue their journey. If you’re dropping by in India during the months of February and March, a must see festival is the Holi festival. This is one of the biggest celebrated festivals in the country. Main purpose of this festival is to celebrate spring. The spirit of celebrating the festival remains the same within all ages throughout the country. The entire environment changes with festivity during this season. Loads of different food is cooked for the family members as …

A Thai Arts and Cultural performance known the world over as one of the largest stage productions, the Siam Niramit Cultural show is a spectacular show now listed in the Guinness World records. The show features over 150 performers and around 500 costumes are used for the entire performance. Special effects have been added as a result of advanced technology as of recent years, keeping up with the moving world. The show has three separate acts. The first act is on Thailand that then was and is named ‘Journey Back in to History’. The second act takes you beyond your imagination and is based on Hell, Himapaan and Heaven. The third act takes you on a journey through joyous festivals celebrated in this colourful country. …

Thailand never fails to surprise its visitors with these most vibrant Thai cultural shows which would also give a chance to the holiday-makers in the country to get a glimpse of this rich cultural heritage. Some of the Thai cultural shows that a traveller should not miss out are Siam Niramit, Thai Classical Dance Drama, Thai Mask Dance, Thai Village Shows, ancient sword fights and Thai Puppet Shows. Siam Niramit is a traditional Thai performance presented with the participation of more than 150 traditional performers on a huge stage along with many sound and lighting effects. There are 500 numerous colourful costumes being used during these shows. Siam Niramit is a magnificent opportunity for anyone who is visiting this great enchanted kingdom to get a …

The sea gypsies of the seas around Thailand have been roaming these waters for centuries. Sailing from island to island, they make a living by fishing and foraging whereever they land and trading any excess in the mainland. They have stubbornly held onto their nomadic lifestyle in the modern age and only a few are settled in the coastal villages of south Thailand. But on the full moon day of the sixth and eleventh month each year, all members of this elusive group come ashore to join the rest of their clan in a very special festival called Loi Ruea. Initiated to give thanks to the Sea God and gain favour and blessings for the future, the festival takes place in several Chao Le villages …