The remarkable Aoi Festival is a unique event conducted in the Japanese city of Kyoto. This event which falls on the 15th of May is counted amongst the three biggest festivals in this city. The festival is centred on the Kamigamo and Shimogamo shrines, both of which are involved in the activities of the festival. Officially called the Kamo Festival this distinctive event originated in the middle of the 6th century. The ruler of the time Emperor Kinmei decreed that a ceremonial celebration be held so as to placate the gods and thereby end a disastrous famine. The objective of the festival was achieved and since then this celebration has been conducted each year, becoming especially popular amongst the wider public during the Edo era. …

Rice constitutes a staple in most South Asian countries and while in nations such as Thailand, rice is only a component of a meal, in countries such as India and Sri Lanka, rice tends to be the primary focus of any meal and all other curries are considered subsidiary or complementary. Given the radical importance placed by most South Asian and South East Asian countries on this type of grain, it is no surprise that a number of traditional ceremonies conducted throughout centuries tend to focus on the ploughing season. Most such nations place a great degree of importance on celebrating the beginning of the season, the reaping of the grain and often, communities pledge the first meal made from rice, to the gods or …

Phuket, Thailand is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, where sun shines upon the golden beaches every day. Blue ocean waters and the scintillating charm of the never ending festive atmosphere are cherished beyond measure by everyone who steps on these shores. Seafood and laughter, good times galore will certainly mark the great holiday spent here in this land of absolute charm. Phuket has much more to offer to its visitors than the splendour of the beaches and the consequent oceanic entertainment, which quite definitely will be common to all beach cities around the world. The land is rich with culture and religion. The pulse of the people, who call this place their home, is felt in the rich celebrations and …

People with welcoming smiles, generous hearts and warm hospitality are the features tightly woven to Sri Lankan culture. The island being one of the spectacular event venues, if you are looking for event planners in Sri Lanka to organize your corporate gathering or the business conference, Nkar Mice is one of the pioneering companies specialized in event management in Sri Lanka. Whether you are on leisure or business, if you are on a visit to this paradisiacal island, do not forget to educate yourself of its cultural values and business etiquettes. Sri Lankans who have the highest regard for their cultural values do not encourage overt physical displays of affection in public. Being predominantly a Buddhist country, visitors are expected to be in decent attire when visiting temples. …

Football is a sport that connects communities and countries and is seen as one of the more engaging sports in the world. From the FIFA World Cup to the UEFA Champions League which sees the cream of football’s giants gather to showcase their skills, football has etched its presence as a global language that continues to draw in hordes of passionate followers. English football for that matter is held in high regard as it never fails to enthral viewers who eagerly await the dawn of every new season. The FA Cup is rated as the oldest football cup competition in the world and has seen the ‘underdog’ triumph on many an occasion over the more illustrious and rampaging teams. Evidence of this fact was revealed …

In hushed reverence and quiet veneration, the birth, enlightenment and the death of the Buddha is celebrated by Buddhists scattered the world over on the day of Vesak, the day marked as the most important on the Buddhist calendar. Bathed in the charm of this day, devotees find serenity sublime in the beautiful and symbolic celebrations and rituals that are faithfully followed on the day. In Singapore, where Theravada and Mahayana Buddhists together abide, the rituals followed slightly vary, while the common chord of peace and good deeds as well as repentance bind the hearts and minds of those who celebrate in strong and significant unison. The day of Vesak is celebrated on the 15th day of the 4th month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar …