Northern Thailand’s lantern festival, Yi Peng, is probably the most magical pageant on the earth. Not only is that this festival enchanting, however it’s loaded with spiritual and cultural significance. Thus, it’s a good way for vacationers to learn extra about Thailand’s wealthy culture and traditions.
If you’ve been dreaming about witnessing this mesmerising event with your own eyes, right here is every little thing you need to know about the festival.
Yi Peng (sometimes written as Yee Peng) is a traditional Lanna pageant that takes place in Northern Thailand. During the pageant, members launch paper lanterns referred to as khom loi into the sky. Hence, it’s sometimes called the Lantern Festival or the Festival of Light. The act of releasing the lantern symbolises letting go of bad luck and misfortunes from the previous year and wishing for good fortunes in the coming year. Buddhists imagine that when you make a want while releasing the lantern, it will come true.
The lanterns are released at approximately the identical time in the evening. The view of 1000’s of lanterns ascending into the night time sky, with varied ranges of brightness and speeds, is truly mesmerising. Because of this, the Yi Peng festival is usually considered the most magical pageant in Thailand.
Although Hush-hush of the Yi Peng festival is the lanterns, there are different activities that happen as part of the celebration. You can watch the official Yi Peng Parade, traditional Thai dance exhibits, reside music, handicraft periods, fireworks, and firecrackers. Additionally, you may also find numerous food vendors at the festival. Northern Thailand actually involves life throughout Yi Peng. The towns are adorned with vibrant hanging lanterns, and the entrances of temples are full of flowers. In addition, many individuals beautify their homes with lit candles as a way to make merit.
Yi Peng is extensively known on the total moon of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar, which normally falls in November. In 2021, the pageant will take place on Friday, November 19. It coincides with Loy Krathong Festival, and the 2 festivals are sometimes fused collectively. The main event of both festivals happens after darkish.
Although most towns and cities throughout Northern Thailand celebrate Yi Peng, Chiang Mai is the best place to experience this lovely festival. The whole metropolis is stuffed with festive celebrations, from vibrant lanterns and candles lining the streets to parades and music.
If you wish to join in a mass lantern launch and get a spectacular photo-op, Mae Jo University is one of the best place to go. The mass release normally occurs at 6.30pm, but you must arrive properly upfront if you wish to get an excellent spot. Besides the lantern launch, you’ll be able to usually enjoy cultural performances as well.
For those who need to actually immerse themselves within the pageant and luxuriate in it like the locals, the best places to go are the Three Kings Monument, Nawarat Bridge on the Ping River, and Thapae Gate. The majority of the non secular actions often occur in the Three Kings Monument. These include a candle-lighting ceremony and a Buddhist worship ritual. For festival parades, meals distributors, and fireworks, Thapae Gate is one of the best place to be.
Since Yi Peng is usually combined with Loy Krathong in Northern Thailand, Nawarat Bridge on the Ping River is a superb place to go if you wish to watch a magical sight of tons of of lanterns floating within the sky and lotus-shaped baskets on the water.
If you don’t want to take part within the festival and would rather watch the lanterns drifting into the night time sky from afar, head to certainly one of Chiang Mai’s rooftop bars.
Launching your very personal lantern into the night sky is presumably the most thrilling a part of Yi Peng.
You can discover many distributors promoting lanterns on the road on the day of the pageant, so you don’t really need to buy lanterns prematurely. It’s finest to buy larger lanterns as a outcome of they’re much simpler to launch. A big lantern normally costs round 50 to 100 baht. Also, make sure to select a lantern that is made from environmentally pleasant materials, such as rice paper and bamboo. Be cautious when holding the lantern. Since the paper could be very skinny, it can tear simply.
Lighting and launching a lantern by your self is sort of tough, so it’s finest that you have a lantern release partner. If you’re travelling alone, it’s a good way to make new friends! Once you find a partner, one person ought to hold the paper and the other mild the round block on the base of the lantern. After you mild it, remember to hold it tightly as scorching air will begin to fill the lantern, and it’ll start to pull upwards. When your lantern begins to lift and pulls your arms, you can gently release it into the evening sky. Make positive to let the lantern float naturally without pushing it. Don’t forget to make a wish or hope for the lengthy run earlier than you launch it!
Yi Peng and Loy Krathong are sometimes confused with each other as they’re very similar and celebrated on the identical day. However, the two festivals are actually completely different. Loy Krathong is celebrated all around Thailand. It involves floating baskets made of leaves, flowers, candles, and incense which may be released right into a physique of water. One of the needs of this pageant is to pay respect to the water goddess and the Buddha.
Yi Peng, then again, is a pageant distinctive to Northern Thailand. Because Yi Peng and Loy Krathong happen on the identical day, the two festivals are sometimes celebrated together in Northern Thailand.
Since the lanterns can intervene with aeroplane’s flight paths, they will solely be launched between 7pm and 1am on pageant days. You additionally shouldn’t launch the lanterns wherever you like, solely in permitted lantern zones. Violating the rules can lead to a nice and imprisonment.
Yi Peng is possibly the busiest time of yr in Chiang Mai. People from all around the world flock into the town to experience the magical festival. Due to this purpose, hotel rooms are often briefly provide. Therefore, if you want to visit Chiang Mai for Yi Peng, it’s best to guide your lodging early!
The lanterns launched during Yi Peng are made of rice paper with a wood or bamboo body and wire to carry the flammable coil or candle. Remember, what goes up must come down. So after festivities finish, most of the lanterns find yourself in trees, the rivers, and on the ground, which might hurt both the surroundings and surrounding communities. That’s why there are more governmental restrictions relating to the release of lanterns. If you’re not Buddhist, it could be best to watch the attractive ceremony without collaborating in it.
Bear in mind that Yi Peng is a non secular festival. Therefore, be mindful not to obstruct individuals from launching their lanterns and dress appropriately if you plan to visit a temple. Whether you’re observing or participating in the festival, it’s essential to always be respectful..