The Lantern festivals celebrated across different parts of the world are among the many breath-taking events that bring people of different faith and races together. Visiting each of these places which celebrates the festivals of lights to usher in prosperity and also as a token of paying tribute to the departed souls, will be a rich experience and it does touch the soul in more ways than one. These festivals are not just tourist attractions, but they cherish the very spirit of being human, as one can see people writing personal messages, and letting it go into the sky with the lanterns.
Here some of the best Lantern Festivals around the world.
1. Diwali, The festival of lights – India
Diwali is celebrated by Hindus all over the world to mark the victory of positivity over negativity making it the quintessential Indian festival. It consists of the lighting of diyas or earthen lamps accompanied by a pooja or worship rituals to invite goodness, wealth and good health into one’s life. And finally at night, colourful lighting including Diwali lanterns can be seen adorning the window panes of many houses. Firecrackers light up the night sky with an amazing display of colour and light.
2. Spring Lantern Festival – China
The China Lantern Festival is also the first full moon night in the Chinese calendar, marking the return of spring and symbolizing the reunion of the family. Guessing (solving) lantern riddles is one of the most important and popular activities of the Lantern Festival. Eating tangyuan or ‘ball-shaped dumplings’ is an important custom of the Lantern festival.
3. Yi Peng Festival of Lights in Chiang Mai – Thailand
This festival is celebrated in northern Thailand to pay reverence to the Buddha. In Chiang Mai the celebration is known as Yee Peng (the full moon of the second month), as the twelfth month in the Thai Lunar Calendar corresponds to the second month in the traditional calendar of the old northern Lanna kingdom. The festival involves stunningly illuminated lanterns, which are either carried, exhibited in houses and temples, and even released into the night sky. Krathong which is an offering – traditionally made out of a banana stalk and garlanded with candles, incense and some money – are floated on the rivers.
4. Hoi An Lantern Festival – Vietnam
Hoi An Lantern festival happens on the 14th day of every lunar month. The old town of Hoi An pulls the plug and off go the lights in the town! The traffic s also diverted so that streets belong to the people on this day . Hoi An is transformed by the flickering candlelight and multi-coloured lanterns are released into the sky or made to float on the river nearby, to pay respect to their ancestors.
5. Floating Lantern Festival – Hawaii (U.S.A)
The annual Lantern Floating Festival in Hawaii, Honolulu is a visually captivating tribute to loved ones who have passed and seeks to bolster the relationship of the community at large. This one-day spectacle includes an elaborate ceremony of symbolic shell-blowing, onjiki offerings to provide spiritual compassion to the souls of the deceased, drumming performances and more. The grand finale happens by floating lit lanterns, carrying wishes of peace and happiness out to sea.
6. Lanterns outside the Petra Treasury – Jordan (Middle-East)
At the altars of the Petra Treasury falling between the high walls of the gorge can be seen hundreds of lanterns twinkling in the darkness. The scene is a breathtaking one and it is simply incredible to catch a glimpse of the Treasury, drawing people in large numbers.
7. The Rise Lantern Festival – Nevada (U.S.A)
The Rise Lantern Festival near north Las Vegas encourage people to share ‘a prayer, a dream or a resolution’ before sending their lanterns aloft at an event in the desert. Also the event organizers have adopted a ‘Leave It Better Than We Found It’ policy, as part of their green environment sustainability program.
8. St. Johns Night – Poland (Europe)
St. John’s Night is a festivity that heralds the summer solstice, where locals and visitors of the Polish city of Poznan release thousands of lanterns into the sky to create an eye-catching display of glowing lanterns. These lanterns differ in size, colour and contain personal messages written over them from their creators. This is to bring luck to those that celebrate this spectacular event.
Well! Now that you know about the many lantern festivals that happen around the world choose your destination, and let your lanterns soar to the sky.
