for tourists visiting the Golden Triangle in Thailand, the tourism industry of the state has intelligently woven an idea of cultural heritage and natural beauty within the triangle. Nestled comfortably towards the northern most part of Thailand lies the city of Chiang Rai, a beloved destination of tourists with a vociferous appetite for the mystical cultures of the East, a mere fifty or so kilometres from the tripoint of the Golden Triangle which connects Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. Chiang Rai celebrates a multitude of cultural and religious festivals, and is ideal for the culture vulture in you. For those visiting at the beginning of the year, the King Meng Rai Festival gives travellers an insight into the national pride of the locals while the Flower …

The much anticipated Vishu Festival is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm in all sections of Kerala, an Indian state located in the southern region of the country. All over Kerala, people of all ages involve themselves in the festivities of this distinctive and elaborate festival. As the occasion is considered to feature light and sound, Keralites illuminate their homes with decorative lights and enthusiastically light bunches of firecrackers. Many interesting festivities and rituals are associated with this event. The central ritual of the festival is the time-honoured Vishukkani, which is a special arrangement of a number of auspicious items considered to symbolize prosperity. These include vegetables and fruits, rice, arecanut, leaves of betel, yellow konna flowers, a metal mirror, coins and sacred texts, which …

Also known as Duanwu, the Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional holiday in the Chinese calendar and in parts of Asia where Chinese immigrants live. In Singapore this annual race comes to life at the Bedok Reservoir. A significant number of crews participate in the Dragon boat race which commemorates the famous Chinese scholar Qu Yuan. Overall the festival is meant to be a celebration; it is a display of Chinese culture and habits. Those who are not racing at the event generally feast on some of the delicious Chinese cuisine prepared for the day. The main items available are rice dumplings and rice wine and the Bedok Reservoir is filled with stalls that serve steaming dumplings for the spectators. Enjoying Chinese food is simply …

Wesak Festival is one of the most colourful religious and cultural celebrations you could experience in Sri Lanka. Therefore, the month of May is one of the best times to visit the island. Being one of the three cities of the Cultural Triangle, Sigiriya is the perfect place to be during Wesak. If you are looking for Sigiriya accommodationchoices, Jetwing Vil Uyana is a luxury Sigirya hotel you could try out. Sri Lanka being predominantly a Buddhist country, celebrate Wesak at its best in every nook and corner. Regardless of the religion each and every house will display Wesak lanterns in numerous shapes, colours and sizes. Massive pandols depicting the life of Lord Buddha, illuminated with hundreds of tiny multihued bulbs, are very much a part and parcel …

There is something magical about the month of May in Sri Lanka; the colourful lanterns adorning the streets, the throngs of people, the life, the ambience; all of this is part of the season of Vesak. The festival of Vesak is observed on the full moon that falls on the month of May and in Sri Lanka, celebrations go on for a week. It is one of the most beautiful times of the year. Despite being a festival of contemplation and rejuvenation, there is an aura of life and fun. Hundreds of locals from right round the island visit Colombo and Kandy to bask in this spectacular ambience. If you are a planning a holiday to Sri Lanka, choose the month of May, so that …

Vesak that commemorates Gautama Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and ‘parinirvana’ is one of the holiest days for Buddhists in Sri Lanka. The day for the commemoration has been determined according to the Buddhist Calendar and falls on the first full moon day in May, the 6th lunar month. Vesak was the Pali and Sanskrit name given to the lunar month falling between April and May. The day itself is an Uposatha day which is dedicated to meditation and practicing the Buddha’s teachings. Buddhists in Sri Lanka commemorate Vesak according to traditions laid down by hundreds of years of observing this holy day. Many Buddhists start the day by joining other worshipers at temples around the country for the first prayers. Offering flowers, lighting candles and joss …