Leave a comment for Loy Krathong, Thailand’s Fascinating Festival of Lights
Loy Krathong Festival, which has a very old history, is celebrated with enthusiasm in Thailand every year. This festival, which symbolizes progress by leaving the past behind, is the most impressive of the festivals celebrated in Thailand. In the festival, which belongs to the belief of Buddhism; lighted lanterns are released into the air, while handmade lighted floating baskets are dropped into the water. The festival, which is held right after the monsoon rains, gives thanks for the rain. Due to the spirituality and romantic atmosphere of the festival, visitors from all over the world flock to the region during the festival.
Celebrated in October or November, the festival is celebrated on the night when the 12th month of the Thai calendar is completed and the full moon illuminates the night. While “Loy” literally means to float, “Krathong” is the name given to baskets specially decorated for the festival. On the glittering festival night; It is believed that negative emotions such as sadness, unhappiness, fear and anger felt in the past year flow away with the baskets left on the water.
Activities within the scope of Loy Krathong Festival
In Thai culture; getting together with loved ones, eating together, listening to music and dancing have an important place. Throughout the year, many celebrations are held in the country, which are the special days of the king of Thailand, which are required by the Buddhist belief. Loy Krathong Festival is the biggest celebration that brings the whole country together. Water, which has an important place in Buddhism and represents purification, is the most important element of this festival. As the Thais drop their krathongs into the water, they offer their gratitude and pray to Ganga, the Hindu water goddess, and Phra Mae, the Buddhist water goddess, for giving rain.
Before the festival, trees, parks and houses are decorated all over the country. Streets are illuminated, cities and towns are adorned with colorful lights. To villages and towns; Amusement parks that last for a week, fairs with all kinds of street food and all kinds of tools are set up. All the people on the day of the festival; It comes together in lights at the edges of the sea, river, lake and stream. That day, nearly 200 piers on the Chao Praya River in Bangkok were opened to the public to release the krathongs into the river. Fireworks shows are held around the river, where the excitement of the New Year is experienced.
The lotus-shaped Krathong made of banana wood consists of 3 incense sticks and a candle. Incense and candles placed on the leaves are decorated with flowers. After people light candles and incense, they drop them into the water to float in the river. Leaving krathongs in water also has an important place for lovers. It is believed that if the couples drop the krathongs into the water together and these baskets float together, the couples will spend their life together. It is believed that something bad will happen to them if they swim separately. It is more convenient than tradition to make the krathongs, which are sold during the festival, by everyone.
Celebrations last 3 days in Chiang Mai, the largest city in Northern Thailand, and are held in a more mystical way, unlike the rest of the country. While priests pray in temples, krathongs are dropped into the water and luminous lanterns are released into the air at the same time. It is believed that lanterns left in the air will take away negative emotions. If the lantern is lost in the sky, it is believed that these feelings are purified. Loy Krathong Festival; It is celebrated as “Tazaungdaing Festival” in Myanmar, “Full Moon Poya Day” in Sri Lanka, and “Lantern Festival” in China.
The Origin of the Loy Krathong Festival
The origin of the Loy Krathong Festival, which dates back 800 years, is the Thai city of Sukhothai. The Sukhothai Kingdom ruled between 1238 and 1438. King Ram Kampaeng, a Buddhist, believed that his kingdom should honor the Water Goddess Phra Mae Khong and Buddha. The king and his family take a spectacular cruise on the river at a time when monsoons fill the rivers. The king’s wife, Nophamas, floats the lotus-shaped boat made of banana leaves on the river to honor the water goddess and Buddha. Impressed by this situation, the king decides that this event will be held on the night of the full moon every 12th month ends.
In another legend connected to Hindu traditions; The origin of the festival was started to honor the Naga. Naga is a serpent-like creature that lives in the waters and is believed to be sacred. This being, believed to be the protector of Buddha, spreads bad luck and sickness when angry. For this reason, such a tradition was started to honor the Naga. Beauty contests, fairs and concerts have been added to this religious tradition, which has survived to the present day, so it has become a festival.