Thailand is a country with a great history and culture, and many festivals are held to commemorate many occasions in the country. Of them, the Festival of Lights, or Loy Krathong is one of the most celebrated events beloved by the Thais.
Held annually every full moon night of the twelfth lunar month, namely November, Loy Krathong is all about elegance, introspection, and bonding. It is time to wade into the beauty of this festival of light in Thailand and discover more about its traditions, rituals, and pleasures.
The Significance of this celebration
Loy Krathong is literally translated as ‘floating a basket,’ and it holds considerable significance for the Thais in terms of culture and religion. It is credited to a relic of the prehistoric Brahmanical rite for the worship of the goddess of water, Phra Mae Khongkha. It has been incorporated into Buddhism where people celebrate the Buddha, make a request to the goddess of water to forgive them, and also forget all their misfortunes the following day.
The process of releasing the krathong an ornamental handcrafted boat signifies the removal of evil spirits and welcoming change for the better. It is a way of paying homage to the water deity along with the remembrance of the different wrongs that people commit against the environment.
Customs
Loy Krathong is celebrated days before full moon night and preparations start days before this celebration. Since people make their Krathong for their families, it is often elegant and features intricate carvings. The important structure consists of a bread bowl or a piece of banana tree trunks with banana leaves, flowers, a scented candle, and three incense sticks. Some Krathong also contain coins, as well as a lock of hair; this symbolizes letting go of specific worries and misfortune.
On the night of the festival, individuals who perform the cultural Thai dance wear traditional Thai attire and take water from rivers, lakes, and canals. There is the spur of burning incense and people are breathing in a dim, warm, and rather romantic atmosphere provided by candles. When it is night, people pray and at the same time throw small boats called Krathong into the water, and these Krathongs have to float away, they are taken as the vessels of people’s dreams.
The most popular activity connected to Loy Krathong is the floating of the decorated baskets known as Krathongs; however, during the night thousands of lanterns are also set on fire. One such tradition practiced for a long time and more popular in the northern part of Thailand is called Yi Peng. People let off Khom Loi, which are actually colored paper lamps, into the night sky to give a beautiful sight to the beholder. The lanterns are thought to: ward off any bad luck and have a specific positive luck for the new year.
Celebrations Across Thailand
It is an annual event that occurs all over Thailand, although certain areas are specifically famous for their celebration of Loy Krathong.
1. Bangkok
Loy Krathong festivities are particularly colorful and prominent in Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand. Proper water sources such as the Chao Phraya River become the topic of concern and the centre of events. The latter include sites like Wat Arun and Asiatique with attractive showings, cultural dances, music, and shows capped up by fireworks. The view of hundreds of Krathongs sailing on the River, in front of the skyline of the city is worth viewing.
2. Sukhothai
Loy Krathong is originally from the city of Sukhothai which implies that this place was the very first capital of Thailand. The historical park is a great area of work as it has lots of ruins and two beautiful ponds in the territory will add to the uniqueness of the festival.
Another event celebrated over a week is the Sukhothai Loy Krathong and Candle Festival accompanied by a beauty queen parade, floats, singing and dancing performances, and light and sound shows. To better observe the festivities, the site offers a distinctive and realistic view of what life was like during the prehistoric era.
3. Chiang Mai
In Thailand, Yi Peng is an annual festival celebrated in Chiang Mai in December month and the most famous festival falls in the same period as Loy Krathong. Families bring out lanterns and decorations and the city is suddenly alive with activities during the night.
Gift to the Water is mainly held at the Mae Ping River where people let the krathongs float away while the Yi-Pen-Yang-Yon lantern releases are held at Thapae Gate and the Three Kings Monument Plaza. The aerial display of thousands of lanterns flying out at night is something that will make people from all corners of the world visit the place.
4. Ayutthaya
This is especially true in the former historical capital of Thailand, the city of Ayutthaya, which is believed to throw one of the most spectacular Loy Krathong festivals. The smiling beautiful faces of the traditional actors and actresses characterize the historical park as it is turned into paradise with some majestic temples, waterways, cultural performances, boat races, and traditional markets.It has an air of celebration and reminiscence of the olden days which gives one a feel of Thailand at its historical and cultural best.
Any concerns about the celebration?
More recently there have been increasing concerns regarding the consequences of environmental damage of Loy Krathong. These include natural materials such as sedge, banana leaves, or water hyacinth, instead of using materials like Styrofoam that are non-biodegradable. People now use natural materials like banana leaves, bread, or even biodegradable paper; that means the beauty of this festival does not in any way affect nature.
In addition, there has been awareness creation and social interventions involving the improvement of the manner in which major events are celebrated. Tidying up is carried out after the celebrations and festivals to make sure that rivers and water bodies can stay clean and the environment is also protected.
Conclusion
Loy Krathong festival, the ‘Festival of Lights’ is one of the traditions that aptly define the true Thai tradition and religion. In its themes of remembrance, thanksgiving, and rejuvenation of social bonds, creating a joined spectacle of unity, beauty, and tradition.
Loy Krathong is an enchanting affair and no matter whether you celebrate it in Bangkok, Sukhothai Ayutthaya, or Chiang Mai, it forever remains a beautiful journey of the heart and the spirit. As the release of the floating baskets is followed by the lighting of the lanterns, the ritual still conveys the message of man and his world with nature and the spirit realm.
