LOY KRATHONG: THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS IN THAILAND
Today, our 5-star luxury hotel Asia Gardens gets filled with lights because we love Asian traditions, especially when it comes to festivals as beautiful as the Loy Krathong.
The festival is celebrated annually in Thailand when there is a full moon on the twelfth month of the traditional lunar calendar. In the west it generally coincides with the month of November, this year it falls on 17th to 21st. The celebrations start a few days before and after the full moon.
The Loy Krathong festival pays tribute to “Mae Khongkha”, goddess of the water, throwing thousands of krathongs to the water. The festival also celebrates the cleansing of spirits to help get rid of anger and resentment, hence the krathongs being thrown to the air as people ask for a wish.
In addition, during the festival there are also firework displays, music and dance, fashion shows and traditional Thai food.
The term Loy Krathong, comes from “Loi” which means to float, and “Krathong” which is a small raft traditionally made out of banana tree trunk, and decorated with the leaves of the same tree, flowers, small lamps and incense.
It is said that this is a festival of lights because the cities are lit on the ground, rivers and even up in the air with thousands of small lamps holding the wishes of so many people.
The festival originates from the kingdom of Sukotai. Many historians think that the festival comes from a Hindu tradition which gives thanks for the harvest and abundant rainfall, hence the creation of this ritual to express gratitude to the spirits of the water.
However, like in all Asian traditions, there is always a legend. The legend has it that a young courtesan girl made the first krathongs in the 13th Century and threw them in the river. The king was impressed by the beauty of the display of lights and made all his subjects pay tribute to the spirits the same way.
This tradition is so special that we wanted to share it with you at the 5-star hotel Asia Gardens. We have been celebrating the Loy Krathong for three years at our resort. Come and enjoy at our luxury hotel.
