LOY KRATON, THE FESTIVAL OF LANTERNS...

LOY KRATONG still called Feasts of lights or festival of lanterns is something to see in Thailand for people present at that time (some program their trip to this time to attend this feast especially since it is the best Period to visit Thailand).

This celebration takes place on the full moon of the 12th month of the traditional lunar Thai calendar i.e. usually in November (this year in 2018 it will be November 23rd).

Loy means to float and Kratong describes a small raft.

The raft is normally made in a banana trunk and nicely decorated with banana leaves, flowers, a candle and 3 incense sticks.

Some make their own Kratong but today most buy it already done because it is a big job and you have to be skillful with your hands.

In the evening many merchants expose their Kratong all along the river, the beach or any other place near the water.

We will place in the Kratong of hair, nails and all the bad memories or resentment to get rid of it and start from a good foot to the future.

Much also places a piece on the raft to attract good fortune (it makes that of the many children who spot the kratongs stranded on the edge and recovers the piece...)

This feast is in fact its origins in India, deriving from the Hindu feast of Diwali, during which the goddess of the Ganges is thanked by floating lanterns for having delivered life throughout the year.

At the Brahmanic origin the feast was adopted by Thai Buddhists as a ceremony in honor of Buddha.

Veneration is symbolized by the candle placed on the raft. By letting go of the Kratong we give up all grudges, Angers and defilements to somehow purified.

We worship Buddha as well as Phra Mae Khongkha (which is the equivalent in Thailand of the Hindu goddess of waters).

Loy Kratong It's also the Lantern Festival.
That night we can buy a paper lantern everywhere.

This lantern is very light and in its center at the base, a small frame allows to hold a candle that by the heat will allow the lantern to rise high in the sky such a balloon.

The spectacle of these hundreds of lanterns is really beautiful.

 

 

Finally, we usually attend late evening to a very beautiful fireworks....