Located on the western end of the Lesser Sunda Islands, is the Indonesian province of Bali. Known for being home to a wealth of traditional as well as modern art, dance and music, Bali is an island rife with colour and culture. It is also a major tourist destination owing to its booming hospitality industry, scenic beauty, and cultural and recreational attractions. The major religion in Bali is Hinduism, and thus is a major platform for various Hindu festivals and customs. One of the most unique festivals celebrated in Bali is the Nypei Festival. Nyepi, literally translates to ‘silence’, and is connected to the celebration of the New Year according to the Saka calendar. Although typically a Hindu holiday, this unique event is celebrated by …

Chinese Lunar New Year which falls on the very first day of the lunar month in the Chinese calendar is something that many Asian countries celebrate with much fanfare. Just like China, Hong Kong too celebrates this festival in a glamorous manner. The city is lit up and the streets get crowded with many people in the festive mood. This event is also popular as the Spring Festival and the ceremony marks the end of the winter season. Among all the destinations, Hong Kong makes this festival quite vibrant and many tourists love to visit the city during this period. They follow the traditions as they were a thousand years back along with many entertaining additions. During the New Year days the whole country is …

Renowned as a holiday Mecca for the masses, Indonesia’s tourist capital is no ordinary city in Asia. Abound with natural beauty and a rich cultural heritage the Balinese are a group of people entrenched in their traditional way of life with every occasion in the cycle from birth to death marked with rituals as ancient as time itself. This preoccupation with marking and celebrating every significant event in the natural world as well as life is such a part of the Balinese identity that folk life in the country would be bereft without the age old customs and wisdom passed on from generation to generation. The Galungan Festival is one of Bali’s most prestigious religious and cultural mêlées marked in Wuku years. Taking centre stage …

A 30 acre expanse of empty space and dying grass in the heart of the city, not a tree to shade the beating hot sun with homeless people prowling the corners begging for money and pigeon poop covering every bit of concrete that would have been a possible place to sit is far from being charming. Sanam Luang or the Royal Field in Thailand is a pretty bleak place on the ordinary day but it has seen the birth, revolution and the make of a nation and people. During one of the many ceremonies or protests that have taken place in Bangkok the park transforms to a busy bubble of chaos with hundreds of thousands of people gathering in colorful attire to witness history in …

Travellers based at luxury hotel resorts get to indulge in the finest comforts and luxury hotels such as Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas take the ultimate holiday experience to a whole new level. When in Bangkok, travellers are spoilt for choice when considering what to do. However, the region’s vibrant events and festival may make the choice for you. Some of the most interesting festivals taking place in the city are Nights at Wat Arun, Chinese New Year, Thai Kite Festival and Bangkok Songkarn Festival. Most of these celebrations afford a glimpse into the country’s unique cultural aspects whilst keeping you entertained. Google+

Historically, the economies of most Asian countries depended greatly on agriculture and as a result, even in modern times the harvesting season is given great importance and prominence in their calendars as they practice rites and rituals that have stood the test of time hoping that they will make the oncoming harvest a fruitful one. The Royal Ploughing Ceremony which is still carried out in Thailand is one such example. This ceremony is presently carried out in Thailand and Cambodia but is no longer practiced in Burma subsequent to the abolishment of the Burmese monarchy. In modern day Thailand, the ceremony usually takes place during the month of May as determined by astrology. The ceremony is made up of a number of rituals that are …