One of the most beautiful festivals of Thailand, the Loy Krathong festival is celebrated in the 12th month of the traditional Thai lunar calendar. This day usually falls in November of the western calendar. The term Loi means 'to float' and "Krathong" means a lotus shaped vessel that is made of banana leaves. The Krathong is decorated with flowers, candles and incense sticks and also has some coins in it.
The Origin Of The Festival & Its Significance The festival traces its origin to the Hindu festival of Dipawali which is celebrated in India. Originally, it was celebrated as a thanksgiving ceremony to River Ganges, however, the Buddhists of Thailand adapted the festival to honour Lord Buddha. The candle raft (Krathong) is floated in the water as a mark of respect to the Buddha. Also, the raft is believed to carry along with it all the sins, grievances and angst of the person floating it, thereby offering an opportunity to begin a new life in a much better manner. A number of people cut their fingernails and hair and put it in the raft as a symbol of breaking away with all negative aspects of oneself.
The floating of the raft is also a way to give respect and thanks to the Goddess of water, Phra Mae Khongkha. It is also supposed to bring good luck.
The Beauty Contest A Beauty Contest is organised during the festival and is known as "Noppamas Queen Contests". As per a legend, Nang Nopamas was the royal consort of King Ramkhamhaeng (the founder of Sukhothai). She was the first one to float a krathong in the water. She decorated it beautifully and floated it in the waters of the palace canal in a manner that it drifted past the king. The king was extremely impressed by this gesture and also the beautiful krathong. This incident gave rise to
a belief that if two lovers float a krathong on the water and if it continues to float till the time it is visible, then the love of the two will forever bloom
from:http://www.buddhist-tourism.com/buddhist-festivals/loy-krathong.html
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The history of Loi Krathong festival Loi Krathong festival
The history of Loi Krathong festival Loi Krathong festival is a Thai tradition which has been conducted for a long time ago. Loi Krathong has been held since the middle of the eleventh to the middle of the twelfth lunar month, which is a great flood season- especially on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month. When the moon shines at night, it makes rivers clear. It is very beautiful scenery which is suitable for floating krathong.
http://www.loikrathong.net/
http://www.loikrathong.net/
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