Vesak is a holy day for millions of Buddhist around the world as it commemorates Gautama Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and ‘parinirvana’ or passing away. The exact day of the festival varies according to the lunar calendars of various cultures but in Theravada Buddhist countries following the Buddhist Calendar it generally falls on a full moon day on the 6th lunar month which is usually in May. The name Vesak itself is a derivative of the name for the lunar month occurring from April to May. Although festivals to mark Vesak had been taking place for several centuries, the decision to celebrate Vesak worldwide as Buddha’s birthday was taken at the first conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists held in Sri Lanka in 1950. The …

Ever since its commencement in 2001, the enthralling King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament in Thailand has acquired a reputation as a unique and highly entertaining sporting event. Visitors from across the globe visit the country to observe this amazing display of common endeavour from human and elephant. The proceeds of the tournament are donated to charity, primarily for the overall benefit of elephants in Thailand. As one might expect in an event organized for this objective, the welfare of the elephants who take part is considered to be of paramount importance. Stringent guidelines have been implemented to ensure that the pachyderms are humanely treated at all times. This can be achieved effectively as Thailand uses a sophisticated system of micro-chipping all legitimate domesticated pachyderms, so …

Paris is an exquisite tourist destination. It is dotted with some of the most beautiful attractions. The Eiffel tower hovers over them all as a symbol of majesty and that is not all; there are so many other places that echo a strong sense of Art, history and Passion. In addition to the many wonders of this remarkable city, Paris hosts a number of festivals year round. It is a place that has no season and never goes dry; throughout the year its paradise. If you are looking for a city to spend your April holidays choose Paris and feel the cities magic in its wonders and events. The first thing about a Paris holiday is finding out what Paris has in store for the …

Though Maldives depends on its neighbours for most basic necessities such as food and drinking water, the nation of many islands has an abundance of scenic venues, transcending beaches and bountiful natural formations. In spite of its tiny dimensions, the many atolls are full of activity, customs and culture. To witness the splendour of the chain of islands, a fair amount of jet sitting or boat riding is required as there are no bridges between them. Being a predominantly Islamic nation, the various religious rituals and celebrations pertaining to Islam are practiced widely throughout the country. The father of the religion, Prophet Muhammad’s birthday is a day of celebration, happiness and much festivities in the country. As per the religious calendar, the much awaited day …

History reveals that Al Gharbia has not been only a beautiful coast, but also a protective frontier that safeguarded the nation in the early parts of the 19th century. Al Gharbia, in Abu Dhabi has always been famous throughout the world for the golden sandy beaches that spread for miles. Over the years the village men have capitalized on the natural blessings and commenced promoting numerous sports and fun activities along the coastal line. Hence, today the area stands as a bustling hub for both local and foreign tourists. One of the favourite events at the Water Sports Festivals is Kite surfing, which is a spectacular sport that requires relatively high skills to harness the wind power. Al Gharbia winds are ideal for the activity …

The Maldives joins all other Islamic nations in the world to commemorate Eid ul Adha, the Feast of the Sacrifice, in honour of prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael to show obedience to god. It is also a commemoration of the end of the Haj. Fifteen mosques in Male, Hulhumale and Vilingili are designated to conduct special Eid prayers. The Eid Adha is performed any time after sun rise, before the Zuhr time on the 10th day of the Dhul Hijjah according to the Muslim calendar, around the middle of October, and lasts for four days. Goats and sheep are sacrificed as god accepted a sheep in the place of Ishmael. As worshippers are encouraged to turn out in their best for Eid …