The Loy Krathong Festival Lighting Up the Chao Phraya
The Loy Krathong Festival is one of the most colorful Thai festivals celebrated nationwide. Processions of beautiful girls
dressed in traditional costumes carry floral floats that are
floated on rivers and lakes. Each province has its special
features in celebrating this annual Festival of Lights. In Bangkok the highlight of the Loy Krathong Festival was a
procession of boats from the Royal Thai Navy decorated with
various designs and lights presented by various organizations
held nightly from 13 – 16 November 2005. It was a spectacular floating kaleidoscope flickering in the
night along the Chao Phraya River from the Taksin Bridge to
King Rama VIII Bridge against a backdrop of historical
monuments lighted up for the occasion. The Loy Krathong
tradition What's the significance of this festival beyond the color and
pageantry? The Loy Krathong Festival is a 13th century Sukhothai
tradition of Brahmin origin, adapted to Buddhism, to give
thanks to the Goddess of water and to seek forgiveness for past
misdeeds. This tradition is particularly strong in agricultural societies
where the river gives life and sustenance in a close bond
between Man and Nature. To the millions of farmers
dependant on its source of water, the Chao Phraya is the river
of life. Held on the 15th night of the new moon in the twelve-month of
the Thai calendar, the Loy Krathong Festival usually falls in
the third or fourth week of November. The Loy Krathong ritual In the ritual, the person kneels by the water, says a prayer,
makes a wish, asks for forgiveness and floats (loy) off the
lighted krathong. Courting couples float off a krathong
together under the full moon and watch as the krathong drifts
towards the fulfillment of their dreams. Making the krathong Made entirely from natural material, traditional krathongs
consist of a small slice of banana trunk to serve as the float,
which is decorated with banana leaves, multi-colored orchids,
lotus and bright yellow marigolds, a candle and three joss
sticks. In the old days, sharpened wooden slivers are used to pin the
leaves. Nails and staples have replaced these today. It's
customary to leave some coins and a strain of your hair in the
krathong to bring in good fortune and carry away the bad. Merrymaking on Loy Krathong
night Locally the Loy Krathong Festival is celebrated at various
locations near the Chao Phraya River, which are buzzing with
activity, heightening as one reaches the riverbanks. Roads to the piers are filled with vendors and buskers as
crowds patiently inch their way to the banks packed with
people of all ages. Many queue for boats to float their
krathongs mid-stream. The celebration goes on for the whole
night with more people arriving in the early hours. Protecting the
environment Cleaning up the rivers and canals after the festival is a
formidable task. On 17 November 2005, the morning after, it
took 4,000 cleaners to retrieve 1.2 million krathongs in
Bangkok alone! The City administration discourages the use of Styrofoam, as
these are non-biodegradable. The more enterprising have
baked bread in the shape of krathongs that are consumed by
fishes. Towards a better
tomorrow As fireworks burst overhead lighting the dark Bangkok skies,
another Loy Krathong Festival comes to an end. Meanwhile
the krathongs drift along the Chao Phraya carrying with them
the hopes of thousands wishing for a better tomorrow. If you're in Bangkok during the next Loy Krathong Festival,
view the festivities at any of the Chao Phraya river piers. For a panoramic view, stay at one of the riverside hotels or take a river cruise by night.
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