Chiang Mai Grand Festival

Chiang Mai Festival

Loi Krathong & Yi Peng are the most popular festivals that take place on the evening of the full moon of the 11th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar. In the Western calendar this usually falls in November. 'Loi'  means "float", while 'krathong' has various meanings, one of which is "a basket to be floated on water. Thais launch their krathong on a river, canal or a pond and making a wish. The festival may originate from an ancient ritual paying respect to the water spirits.The candle venerates the Buddha with light, while the krathong floating symbolizes letting go of all one's hatred, anger and defilement. People sometime cut their fingernails or hairs and place the clippings on the krathong as a symbol of letting go of past transgressions and negative thoughts. Many ordinary Thai use the krathong to thank the Goddess of Water, Phra Mae Khongkha. Loi Krathong is often claimed to have begun in the Sukhothai by a court lady named Nopphamat. Swarms of Lanna-style or Chinese sky lanterns 'khom Loi', literally: "floating lantern" are launched into the air where they resemble large shoals of giant fluorescent jellyfish gracefully floating through the sky. The festival is meant as a time for 'tham bun'  to make merit. Khom loi are made from a thin paper fabric,  with a candle or lighting fuel in the center.When light the Khom Loi will float up into the sky. These festival last for three days.

International participants of Khom Loi    

 These are the Asian Tourist participating the Annual Grand Yi Peng & Loi Khrathong Festival.This year 2014 the theme is ASEAN FESTIVAL therefore the local government invited many of the Asian countries to participate, very grand indeed with plenty of University Students participating.

    

Khom Loi

 This is the Lantern that they set off to the sky to celebrate Yi Peng Festival. It cost about 60 Bht for a medium size. I saw more than 10s  thousands that float up it the sky. Foreigners and locals alike they just want to be part of the festive groups and enjoy everything that offers, dancing, singing, and joining together and make it robust, 

These floats with beautiful locals & overseas volunteers welcoming & giving well wishes, waving hands & smiling on the floats. I saw more than 30 floats which I have lost count and there are Grand Price up for grab. 

These are the vendors selling all sorts of Floats made from Flowers & Leaves, those who wish to perrformed the  ritual of letting off a 'Loi  

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The most grand and robust Festival in Chiang Mai are these two Yi Peng & Loi Khratong which was celebrated in a grand scale for 3 days with more 40 floats, culture dances & song & music. Although I'm from Asian country and my country has such occasion too but not as grand as this festival. I stood there enjoying the beautiful & colorful floats for more than 3 hours and run out of my camera's batteries, everything was so unique and the mood was so merry with plenty of foreigners & locals enjoying themselves which is such a rare experience for me.

Tips:  

If you want to visit during this time of the season you 'must' book your hotel in advance and before you go during the month of November remember to check the date and confirm the 3 days celebration. I was told that 80,000 of rooms was fully booked.