Festivals are a resplendent affair in the land of the Thunder Dragon with people dressed in the finest hand woven material, coral and turquoise jewels. One of the most significant festivals is the Tsechus which is held in all districts once a year on auspicious days of the Bhutanese calendar in honor of Guru Rinpoche who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century. The dance dramas and masked dance rituals last up to as long as four days with hundreds or even thousands of Bhutanese gatherings at monasteries to watch. Monks as well as community dancers gather to form the parade of masked dancers. The monks prepare for months in advance in deep prayer and meditation and perform special mystical dances that are believed …

The Poson Festival natively referred to as Poson Poya in Sri Lanka celebrates the introduction of Buddhism to the country during the third century BC. It is a significant historical event to the country where majority of people practices Buddhism as their religion. The Mihintale rock plays a significant role during the Poson Festival which is held during the month of June, since it is said that it was in Mihintale where King Devanampiyatissa of Sri Lanka was converted to Buddhism by the Arahat Mahinda who came from India. With this legend Mihintale has become the main site for festive activities during Poson and many locals and foreigners visit Mihintale during this season to perform religious rites as well as for leisure. There are many …

Predicted to become one of the top tourist destinations, the strikingly unique Saadiyat Island is bound to mesmerize any first time visitor! A traveler enjoying the exceptional level of accommodation Abu Dhabi, specially at a hotel in Abu Dhabi such as Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa By Anantara cannot afford to miss a visit to the one of a kind attraction, Saadiyat Island. Get an insight into the plans for this marvelous destination with a visit to Saadiyat Island Cultural District Exhibition. Tracing the plans for a maritime museum, performing arts centre, Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and the Zayed National Museum, the exhibition highlights how the Cultural District will become the most expansive single concentration of premier cultural institutions in the world. Thanuja Silva is …

Indulge in a Bangkok Cruise Tour to get a unique perspective of the city. Bangkok Cruises offered by Anantara Cruises are a popular choice in this regard. When in the city, a visitor cannot afford to miss the chance to experience its unique festivals. Celebrated throughout Laos and northeast Thailand by ethnic Lao people, the Rocket Festival customarily features musicians, dancers, competitive processions of floats, other performances and more. Home-made rockets are fired competitively on the third day of the festival. The gigantic skyrockets are part of this custom. These skyrockets are basically large black-powder bottle rockets. Traditionally the rockets are made from bamboo bongs.

Music makes everyone lose control. Be it babies or bold tattooed muscle men, it can get anyone’s feet tapping, hips swaying and mouth unconsciously singing along known and unknown melodies, making up words as you go along. Almost everybody has their favourite song; a tune that gives them goose bumps, lets you relive memories, wipes away the ones you want to forget making you feel very much at ease. The Timbre Rock & Roots festival celebrates all of these and more. A 2 day event held in Singapore, it features some of the biggest names in the music industry. Even Grammy Award nominees have performed at this festival and famous artists include The Fray, Imogen Heap, Wind & Fire, Bob Dylan, Buena Vista Social Club …

Marking the traditional beginning of the rice growing season, the Royal Ploughing Ceremony also known as Lehtun Mingala or the Mingala Ledaw is a grand affair indeed. Accommodation Bangkok would not be much of a hassle during this season as Somerset Sukhumvit Thonglor Bangkok conveniently located amidst all the acitivity harbours some of the most sought after Sukhumvit apartments located within the city. The festival is celebrated in both Cambia and Thailand and traditionally takes place at the beginning of the Buddhist lent in the Burmese month of Waso which usually falls on the 11th of May. On the day of t6he ceremony, two sacred oxen are tied to a wooden plough after which they are made to plough on a ceremonial ground. After the ploughing, rice seeds are …