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Welcome to Loy Krathong Festival, a centuries-old tradition in Thailand's vibrant culture. Known as the "Festival of Lights" this yearly event envelops guests in a dazzling display of flickering candles, floating lanterns, and ornate floral arrangements. Allow Asia King Travel to take you on a journey to discover what makes Loy Krathong an unmissable experience for travelers seeking cultural immersion in Thailand.
Loy Krathong Festival is celebrated on the night of the full moon of the twelfth month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar. It usually falls in November, according to the Western calendar. That means the exact date varies each year based on the lunar calendar. The festival usually begins in the evening, so everyone can clearly observe the light from the candles shining brightly, creating a fanciful sight for the event.
Loy Krathong is celebrated on the night of the full moon of the twelfth month in Thai lunar
Loy Krathong Festival celebrates water spirits with floating candlelit krathongs. Every year, it brings together residents and visitors for a captivating display of lanterns, traditional music, and colorful parades. Rooted in Thai folklore, the festival fosters community spirit as people release their beautifully adorned krathongs into rivers and lakes. This enchanting festival embodies Thailand's deep spiritual connection to water and illuminates the nation's cultural heritage with a radiant glow.
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There is a widespread perception that Loy Krathong first appeared under the ancient Sukhothai Kingdom (1238–1438). A lady named Nang Noppamas was a revered concubine of the Sukhothai King, according to the classical work Tamrap Thao Si Chulalak. Nang Noppamas created a graceful lotus-shaped float embellished with miniature bird figures and offered it for an annual festival where royals donated votive floats in adoration of the Buddha.
The float of Nang Noppamas inspired the festival
The King was so taken by the beauty of Nang Noppamas and her float that he made the ritual into an annual tradition, and the float of Nang Noppamas became the inspiration for the krathong. This mythology also gave rise to the tradition of beauty pageants, where contestants costume themselves as Nang Noppamas.
In Thai, "Loy Krathong" consists of two parts: "Loy" meaning "to float," and "Krathong" meaning the lotus-shaped baskets or floats made from flowers, candles, incense, and banana leaves. Therefore, "Loy Krathong" collectively translates to "to float a basket". True to its name, during the festival, people release these beautifully crafted krathongs into rivers, lakes, or other bodies of water, as the highlight of the event.
The festival is important spiritually and culturally
This event is very important, both spiritually and culturally. It is an occasion to honor the Buddha and to pay homage to the Goddess of Water, Phra Mae Khongkha, for a year's worth of her bountiful supply and demand an apology for contaminating the water. Nowadays, it also symbolizes the act of letting go of negative feelings, grudges, and misfortunes by placing them into the krathong and letting them float away. Thai folklore suggests that the krathong would bring good fortune for the next year if it were kept lit until it disappeared out of sight.
Creating a krathong, the traditional Thai float, is a delightful and artistic process. Begin by collecting banana leaves and stems, cutting the stem into a circular shape for the base, and folding the leaves for the outer edges to form a bowl-like structure. You need to secure the leaves with small pins or staples, creating the base for your krathong.
A traditional design of a krathong
You can decorate the base with vibrant flowers, folded banana leaves, and even incense sticks for a fragrant touch. In the center, place a small candle securely affixed with melted wax. It is optional to include personal items or even a small token as a symbolic offering. Take your time to arrange the elements thoughtfully, expressing creativity and personal flair. The krathong is now ready to be gently floated during the enchanting Loy Krathong Festival.
After creating krathong, you can join Thai people in congregating beside bodies of water at nightfall. Lighting the candles and incense before carefully releasing the krathongs onto the water as a gesture of respecting the water spirits, letting go of negativity, and asking for good fortune.
The event offers various activities for visitors to participate in
Visitors may take in lively firework displays, Thai traditional music shows, and folklore performances during Loy Krathong. Frequently, there will be a beauty competition in which ladies will dress up in traditional Thai attire. The festival is also an occasion for feasting, as people often savor delicious street food as well as local delicacies.
Loy Krathong is also a festival of love for couples
Loy Krathong is often regarded as the Thai version of Valentine's Day thanks to its romantic and sentimental aspects. The enchanting atmosphere creates a setting conducive to expressing love and affection. Thais believe they will meet their soulmates in the festival. Couples often participate together, making wishes for their relationships, launching krathongs hand in hand, and enjoying the romantic ambiance. The couple will know their love will last if the light stays lit until the Krathong is no longer visible.
The Loy Krathong Festival is celebrated throughout Thailand, from major cities to smaller towns and rural areas. Popular locations for grand celebrations include Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and Ayutthaya, where the festival's cultural and historical roots add an extra layer of significance to the celebrations.
Chiang Mai celebrates Loy Krathong and Yi Peng festivals at the same time
While Sukhothai is the birthplace of Loy Krathong, Chiang Mai is also one of the best places to celebrate the festival. On the same day as Loy Krathong, the city also hosts the beautiful Yi Peng Festival, also known as the Thailand Sky Lantern Festival. With both the krathong floating on the river and the flying lanterns of Yi Peng dotting the night sky at the same time, Chiang Mai transforms into a fanciful scene straight out of a fairytale. It makes the event a once-in-a-lifetime occasion for visitors, captivating their hearts with its cultural beauty and the vibrant energy of the festival.
Loy Krathong stands as a radiant jewel in Thailand's cultural crown, captivating hearts with its poetic blend of tradition, spirituality, and communal joy. Embraced by locals and cherished by visitors, Loy Krathong not only illuminates Thailand's cultural heritage but also invites all to take part in a celestial celebration of light, water, and the boundless spirit of unity that defines this enchanting festival.
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If you wish for more information about the festival, Thai culture, or any further aspects of your trip to Thailand, don't hesitate to contact us. Asia King Travel is always dedicated to assisting you with your every step to Thailand and also other nations in Southeast Asia.
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