To me Loi Krathong festival looked like a festival of light and water. Like many other things in Asia there are many versions of what the festival means and how it started. One version is that it was started in the region of Sukhothai by a court lady called Nopphamat. Another version puts it as a Hindu festival later adapted by Buddhists. Yet another version says it is celebrated by people of Thailand as gratitude to the River Goddess. In true Asian spirits all these Loi Krathong histories can co-exist rather than contradict each-other.
The beautiful float you see in the picture is known as Krathong. Loi I am told, means to float. I attended the Loi Krathong Festival at Dusit Deverana, New Delhi (a new hotel) yesterday night. The festival started with dance performances from Thailand that were as usual colorful and graceful. I should have guessed it would be an outdoor event as it involved water. But I did not and I was wearing a sleeveless top. I had the sense to take a shawl though so I managed fine in the end!
However, I was so engrossed in clicking pictures and enjoying the dances that I forgot the cold very soon. I liked the coconut shell dances the best for its foot tapping music and rhythm. It was so fast that in the night I did not manage to click one decent picture of it but I guess the video is better which I will upload soon.
After this the Ambassador of Thailand to India gave a short speech. In his speech he mentioned both the Nopphamat and the River Goddess version of the festival. It was then time to light the Krathongs and float them in the water body of the Dusit Deverana hotel. But we also had the master Krathong coming with a ‘queen’ in a palanquin.
Once the main krathong was received it was time for the festivities to start in the earnest. All the guests were given a Krathong to float and I too tried my hand at it.
The festival was preceded by drinks and followed by dinner. I ate red Thai curry and my favorite fruits like Rambutan and Mangosteen once again. It was a beautiful evening, I managed to get a small flavor of Thailand in my own backyard at Dusit Deverana, Delhi.
Its beautiful, Mridula. I wonder how they make them!
Anu if I ever witness the festival again I will try to find out. It somehow didn’t occur to me to ask!
Beautiful post Mridula!:)
Thank you Nikhil.
Wow! Amazing practices! And, must say, the picture are just fabulous! Even I have the curiosity, what are they made of and how are they made?
Sindhu if I see it the next time I will try to figure it out.
SO beautiful! The expression on girls face n the krathong should be my favs
Thank you Meena.
Hi Mridula,
Thanks for dropping by my blog 🙂
Glad you got to witness the Thai culture and their delcious food right in the heart of Delhi. The Krathong looks so beautiful and intricate. Lovely pictures and i enjoyed discovering a bit of Thailand with you 🙂
Your newest follower,
Pallavi 🙂
Pallavi I too have enjoyed your Kashmir pics and that yellow lotus completely floored me! 😀
I like the inclusion fo flowers in almost every act !
Yes Paresh what an observation!
beautiful pictures. asian cultures share inspiration from each other religions probably.
Yes Amar both Thailand and Cambodia show traces of Hinduism and Buddhism but in their own unique way.
I love rambutans! (and also the last picture in this post ) 🙂
I too like the tropical fruits and the festival of Loi Krathong 😀
I was just going to ask you the same thing about how they make it. So beautiful, delicate and colorful. Lovely pictures. Loved the link you added too. Looks like you had a wonderful evening. What better way to appease your senses that music dance lovely lights and sights. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you Preethi 😀