The vegetarian festival in Thailand held in the month of October is an event of spirituality together with astounding religious acts that are carried out as devotions to the gods for obtaining blessings. The festival which has its origin from the Chinese immigrants who visited Thailand some time back, has today developed into a fully fledged ceremony with street shows of people in trances as well as religious rituals performed in the temples, in exclusive culinary preparations and people observing certain precepts in view of the event. Spanning over a nine day period in the ninth month of the Chinese calendar, the festival is the result of the belief that the Chinese immigrants who fell ill with Malaria, recovered due to a religious ritual they …

The colourful celebration of Deepavali is one of the most significant festivals for Hindu communities around the world. The Hindu faithful form a significant proportion of the residents of Singapore and are concentrated in the neighbourhood of Little India. Deepavali or the Festival of Lights as the occasion is also known occurs in the latter part of the year and is much looked forward to. The festival celebrates good overcoming evil and the victory of light over darkness. There are many legends associated with this occasion. The story goes that there was once a tyrannical ruler called Narakasura who oppressed his subjects. The people appealed to Lord Krishna for help and the deity duly vanquished and killed the tyrant. To welcome the victorious Lord Krishna …

Eastern Asia is one part of the world etched with rich culture and tradition. From festivities to rituals to food, each occasion, activity and cuisine is both colorful, interesting and has a symbolic history behind. Visitors to countries like Thailand never fail to be awed by the meticulous detail and fascinating stories that govern each event in the country. It is no different for the famous Hungry Ghost Festival whose name in itself is quite the crowd puller. The ‘Hungry Ghost’ festival is one interesting event that makes its way into the calendars of the Thai’s Singaporeans and the Chinese. The Chinese pay great importance to the satisfaction of their dead ancestors. They believe that their good fortune in this life rests on this deed. …

A fascinating aspect of Thai culture is the nine-day purge known as the Phuket Vegetarian Festival. Held each year in the month of October, the festival includes an unusual parade that may take you aback the first time that you witness the strange sights. People pierce their tongue, cheeks and other parts of the body with sharp metal objects. Some even go to the extent of carrying large metal tools through their piercings. For instance, some carry bicycles, large swords and rifles which are pierced through the cheek and the tongue and balanced by both hands. The ritual is intense and is somewhat gruesome to watch, and it is not the type of thing that most tourists are accustomed to. However, the strength and the …

The United Arab Emirates every year makes its way as a key participant to issues that affect the world. It hosts several different exhibitions, workshops and seminars that brings to its soil some of the leading minds in that particular industry. Being a nation that faces 3 sides of its land to the sea front, the marine world has been of great interest to the UAE hence the annual Middle East Workboats. The Middle East Workboats is actually a conference and an exhibition that discusses several areas related to the shipping industries. Some of them include Offshore Support vessels and Environmental issues primarily focused around Oil Spills. The Middle East Work Boats also happens to be an excellent platform where the Middle Eastern Markets are …

The United Arab Emirates is leading the way in a world of different sectors. It is not just the buildings that kiss the clouds or the ever so sophisticated man made islands that makes headlines everyday; for this nation hits the charts in so much more. Leisure, sports and entertainment are among the most popular areas and by its side there is a number of more serious industries as well; medicine is one of them. The UAE has some of the most top notch state- of- the- art hospitals and medical institutions. Research in many areas are in an optimum state and the countries attractive salary packages -among others- catch the attention of the most renowned minds in the industry to contribute their wealth of …