On any regular day, the Golden Stupa is a sparkling tourist attraction, but on November 11 to 17, 2013, the whole nation celebrates the cultural importance of this icon with three days of pilgrimage and cultural festivities and a week-long fair after. As this is a public holiday, businesses, schools and government offices are closed on the first three days on the actual dates of Boun That Luang 2013.

“Phasat Pheung” Procession

The “wax castle” procession starts at Wat Si Muang, a temple at the city center of Vientiane, and wounds its way to the Golden Stupa 5 kilometers northeast. Participants usually wear their best ethnic costumes, and dance to traditional music. Upon reaching the Golden Stupa, the monks lead the devout in a “wien thien” ceremony, slowly circling the temple three times in clockwise direction.

Phasat Pheung are miniature castles made of banana trunks decorated with paper money and flowers made of wax.

A similar procession on the second day comes from Vat Nongbone, another monastery with elaborate roof decor less than a kilometer west of the Golden Stupa. This procession, however, lasts into the night under the full moon, as the devout light candles and carry the wax castles around the Golden Stupa three times before putting the wax castles on the skirt of the stupa.

“Taak Baat” Almsgiving

On the morning of the third day of the That Luang Festival, people get busy early as devout usually go to the Golden Stupa even before the sun rises to secure a spot within the cloister of the stupa where they prepare for their offerings and begin to pray. At 7AM, the “taak baat” (give alms) ceremony starts. To facilitate easier almsgiving to the monks, the devout now sit in one place and the monks go around to receive their food and other offerings. When “taak baat” is finished, the lay go inside the stupa to pray, light candles and burn incense.

In the afternoon, a traditional game, “tikhy” or “tikhee,” is played between a team of villagers and a team of government officials. It is Laos’ version of hockey where players use bamboo sticks to direct bamboo balls to their goals. A victory of villagers would mean that the people would be spared from famine, and a good fortune and economy awaits for the year.

On the last day of the festival which coincides with the rising of the full moon, the monks and the devout make another evening procession around the stupa, and the combined effects of thousands of candles and the full moon on the spire of the stupa makes for one compelling photo opportunity.

Trade Fair at Vientiane’s Exposition Center

The occasion of Boun That Luang is also the best time to come visit Vientiane because many local shops and artisans put their products on display. Other festival games, cultural performances and food booths are also showcased during the week after the formal festivities, so a trip that coincides with Boun That Luang is a fitting introduction to Laos.

The post Boun That Luang 2013: Laos’ Festival of the Golden Stupa appeared first on .

The date of Songkran was originally determined by astrological calculation, particularly using the solar calendar. This means that the date of Songkran changed throughout the years. When Thailand adapted the use of the modern calendar, Songkran’s date became fixed on April 13 and lasts three days until April 15. In some places, particularly in Chiang Mai, celebrations last for six days or longer.

In 2014, Songkran will again fall on those days.

Three Day Celebration

Each of the days of Songkran is devoted to a particular task. The reports vary as to what each day is particularly called or what activity is done, but Songkran is very much about families, reunions and respect for one’s elders and of course, the Buddha.

Traditions

The Thais pay great respect to their elders, and during Songkran this is of extra importance. Young people would sprinkle fragrant water into the elders’ palms in their family as a sign of respect and humility. They also ask for their elder’s blessings.

At the start of the holiday, homes are cleaned to get rid of the heavy and negative influence of the past. Sweeping the floors is one of the traditional ways homes are cleansed during Songkran.

Families also take time to go to temples and pray for a good year ahead. One of the traditions that the Thais practice is pouring water on the Buddha’s statues, specifically on the body. This is a sign of cleansing and renewal, and the water used to wash the Buddha are collected and sprinkled lightly over people as a sign of good fortune in the coming year.

Songkran is also a time for reunion, where families come together to celebrate their bond and unity. Preparations are done for sumptuous feasts to share with each other.

Merit Building

A central practice of Songkran is making merit. This is based on the idea that doing selfless acts for others gives you “celestial points”. Merits are earned by doing good deeds based on the teachings of the Buddha.

One of the most common practices of merit building during Songkran is donating food to the monks. Visiting nine sacred temples during Songkran is a good way of building up merit.

Water Festival

One of the biggest and most anticipated activities of Songkran is the splashing of water. We’ve mentioned that one of Songkran’s traditions involves pouring water over statues of the Buddha and using this blessed water to give others good fortune. This practice has evolved to a point that the streets of Thailand become quite a water park during Songkran. People line the streets with containers of water and throw them to passersby by the bucket. Some children use water guns, while other make use of garden hoses.

Along with the water comes the chalk. In Buddhism, powders and chalk are used in many rituals and are considered to be marks of religious blessings. In the more modern practice of Songkran, being doused with water and chalk would mean that the Thais are wishing you a happy and blessed new year. Visitors to Thailand during this season are well advised to join the festivities by donning comfortable and casual clothing, as well as protecting any items that they have that may get damaged when wet.

Modern Activities

While many Thais choose to celebrate Songkran quietly at home with their families, there are plenty of activities one can join in. There are beauty pageants in many areas around Thailand, parades and shows. Food festivals and bazaars abound where visitors can sample the different kinds of delicious Thai food.

Traditional Activities

Visitors who wish to participate in more traditional rituals of Songkran would find better luck in going to smaller communities. The Phra Pradeng district celebrates much later than bigger places like Bangkok, and their activities hold a more cultural and sacred aspect.

In Sanam Luang just across the Grand Palace, the Buddha’s image is taken out of the National Museum and is displayed in a parade for people to sprinkle water on.

And if someone offers you a bracelet, hold out your hand with the wrist up and accept it with a smile. It is another way of wishing you luck for the new year, and Thais believe that you should never remove it until it falls off on its own.

Songkran is a wonderful holiday that shows the world how deep Thais respect their families and their culture. Yet it also shows the fun side of the people, gamely getting into sharing their blessings and good fortune.

Happy Songkran Water Festival!

The post Songkran Festival 2014 appeared first on .

Holi has a particularly strong significance for the people in the Braj (Uttar Pradesh) region in India. Mathura, Barsana, Nandagoan and Vrindavan are places that are associated with Lord Krishna, who is a central figure in one of the traditions of Holi celebrations. These places become tourist destinations during Holi.

The Hindu calendar sets Holi during the Phalguna Purnima, or the full moon of the month called Phalguna. In the Gregorian calendar, this happens sometime between February and March.

In 2014, Holi will start on the 17th of March.

Origins

The world holi comes from Holika, a demonness who could not be burned and the sister of the king of demons, Hiranyakashipu. A boon given to Hiranyakashipu by Brahma for a penance made him difficult to kill. Because of this, Hiranyakashipu became arrogant and demanded that he should be worshipped instead of the gods.

Hiranyakashipu’s son Prahlada, was a devotee of Vishnu and would not stop worshiping the god despite his father’s threats. Many attempts were made to end Prahlada’s life, but he was always unharmed thanks to the protection of Vishnu. Incensed, Hiranyakashipu ordered his son to sit on a pyre on Holika’s lap. To their surprise, Prahlada remained unharmed, but Holika was consumed by the flames until she died. Prahlada’s salvation and Holika’s burning became the basis for the celebration of Holi.

Purposes of Holi

Thousands of Hindus join in the festivities of Holi each year. It welcomes the start of the spring season, although originally it celebrated the fertile land and good harvest.

Holi, like many other Asian festivals, also celebrate the triumph of good over evil.

Celebration and tradition

On the eve of Holi, bonfires are lit. Wood is gathered days before and are piled in major crossroads in the city. Effigies of Holika are placed on top of wooden pyres and burnt, representing the triumph of good over evil.

Play of Colors

The play of colors is the main celebration of Holi, and is done of the day of Dhuleti. This practice is said to be from a legend where young Lord Krishna was unhappy with his skin tone, compared to his beloved Radha’s fairer complexion. To appease him, his mother Yashoda allowed him to color Radha’s face using any color he wanted. This became the basis of throwing colored powder, a symbol of happiness and good fortune.

In modern times, these colors are made with powder dyed in various colors. Natural colors were used before, using turmeric, paste made of sandalwood and dyes extracted from flowers and plants. Synthetic colors are slowly replacing the natural colors, which have become a cause of worry for many people as it often brings adverse skin reaction as well as the concern for the materials’ toxicity.

Food

Of course, what celebration would be complete without food? Traditional Holi delicacies are prepared for consumption. Try the gujia, a North Indian dumpling-like dish. The pastry is stuffed with a mixture of roasted and grated dried fruits, coconuts and a milk food called khoya. Enjoy the biscuit called mathri that is simply made with flour and water and served with mangoes or chili and tea. To sweeten the deal, finish it with some malapua or Indian pancakes.

Holi is a gathering for thanksgiving and praise. It is a celebration filled with much fun and gaiety, a holiday where barriers are gone and people give in to the joy that is coursing through their veins. Join in the festivities, and you will find yourself laughing and smiling all throughout.

The post Festival of Colors: Holi 2014 appeared first on .

Christian Origins

The most accepted and widely recognized origin of the the Christmas holiday centers on the birth of the man the Christians recognize as the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The books of Luke and Matthew tell how a young woman named Mary received word from an angel that she was to conceive and give birth to Jesus. Her fiance, Joseph the carpenter, was a native of Bethlehem and just shortly before she was to give birth, the couple traveled there to participate in a census. Unfortunately, all the rooms in the inn were filled, so the couple took refuge in a table where Mary went into labor.

Both gospels also talked about the people to who came to visit the baby. Luke spoke of humble shepherds who were led to there by an angel. Matthew told of wise men or kings who followed a bright star and gifted Jesus with frankincense and myrrh. Further accounts in Matthew’s book tell of the family feeling to Egypt to escape King Herod’s plans of killing Jesus.

While the real date of Christ’s birth is highly debatable, its current date has been widely accepted and internationally recognized as Christmas day.

Widespread Christian Practices

Christians share similar practices across the world. Many of the faithful start Christmas by attending mass or service, and the celebration is highly religious in many ways. Tableaus depicting the first Christmas are presented, and are a popular centerpiece for many Christmas shows in schools and churches. Nearly everywhere, however, Christmas is a time for gathering with friends, family and the community.

International celebration

Christmas is a major and public holiday in many countries around the world. It is celebrated not just by Christians, but also by people from different faiths. In some countries where there are a small population of Christians, many secular elements of the holiday have been adapted including decorating homes, Christmas trees, gift-giving and iconic figures giving these gifts, one of which is Santa Claus. It is even in places where the population is highly non-Christian. Only a few countries do not hold Christmas as a public holiday including China (Hong Kong and Macao are excluded), Japan, Thailand, Saudi Arabia and North Korea.

Traditions

When it comes to Christmas, there are certain practices that are common across cultures and faiths. During Christmas, people take time to give each other gifts. Others opt to give out Christmas cards and often these include short missives of how the family has fared in the past year. Homes and establishments are decorated with many symbols that originate from different cultures. Even in countries that typically do not grow pine or have snow or chimneys will have Christmas trees and Frosty the Snowman and Santa Claus.

Food Fest

The biggest tradition of all is the gathering of family and friends to participate in a feast. Traditionally, a big dinner is held on Christmas Eve, but some hold it on Christmas Day. Depending on the country and the culture, food varies as well. However, some dishes do cross countries, particularly if one has migrated to a new country and brings with them a taste of home. Expect to have dishes of chicken or turkey, roasted beef or ham, wassail, eggnog, cheese and other gastronomical delights.

Southeast Asia Christmas

While there are many Christians in most Asian countries, not all of them of them recognize it as a public holiday. Take for instance the different Southeast Asian countries and how they uniquely celebrate Christmas. Still, this does not stop them from joining in the festivities, adapting the holiday to fit their own cultures and customs. Like in other parts of the world, it is considered to be one of the most colorful holidays each year.

Ancient Holiday

However, history shows that celebrations during mid-winter has been a long-time tradition of many cultures around the world long before the coming of Jesus Christ. Often, this celebration falls on the winter solstice and marks the end of the darkest day of winter and the coming of brighter days. Similar celebrations are held all across Europe and countries that experience cold weather during these months.

Christmas has truly morphed into an international holiday. These days, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a place that doesn’t have something that symbolized Christmas. However, it isn’t just about the commemoration of Christ’s birth. Christmas has become the season for people to be more generous and caring, and allows people time to reflect upon the blessings and challenges of the past year.

The post Christmas 2013: A True International Holiday appeared first on .

Mud madness this year starts on July 19 and concludes on July 28.

It’s a Mud World Out There

A country can’t grow much in a vast expanse of mud. Instead of pushing for agriculture that might not be as lucrative, enterprising South Koreans thought of marketing mud cosmetics and making them more appetizing especially to Western residents who work in South Korea. The result is one big mud festival that is the most internally attended of South Korea’s biggest festivals.

The festival kicks off on the third week of July, but it is during the final weekend that the “mud-ness” reaches a frenzied peak.

The two-week-long festivities open with a good helping of mud dancing and percussion and extravagant fireworks. Truckloads of Boryeong mud are dug from the mud flats and dumped into the Daecheon Beach, a 10-kilometer-long tidal flat on the west coast of Boryeong which becomes the “Mud Experience Land” for these two weeks in summer. But it’s not just all mud, as the Daecheon Beach is just as excellent and, unlike the mud, clean for swimming.

Much Ado About Mud

There are plenty of activities that go beyond wallowing in mud pools and pulling a solitary mud self-massage. Certainly, a lot of other activities are more physical than mud marathons.

Mud slides are made for all ages, while mud wrestling events are geared for the more adventurous. The artistic can join colored mud body painting contest, while the architecturally creative can put up mud creations for the sculpture contest.

For the really intrepid, there are mud skiing competitions, Mudflat obstacle relays, and mud futsal. Of course, the children are not left out, and are installed their own Kid’s mud land. There’s also a mud prison for those who want to serve (mock) jail time.

A mud fountain is also erected for those seeking eternal youth. After all, that’s what facials and body wraps are for, and here, you can get them all for free and for as often as you like in the stretch of two weeks.

Boryeong Mud Festival, despite its moniker, offers good clean fun. Certainly, beach parties and loud music go on all day and night, but there is practically fun for everyone. Street parades, cultural performances, concerts and fantastic fireworks display round up the festivities and make for entertaining digressions if mud starts to look drab and gray.

History of Boryeong Mud Festival

Attracting more than 2 million international visitors a year, the Boryeong Mud Festival is to South Korea as La Tomatina is to Spain. Both are opportunities to make a mess of oneself and suspend reasonable thought for a moment to simply just have fun. But unlike the La Tomatina Festival (which just spontaneously rose out of a vegetable-throwing incident), the Boryeong Mud Festival arose from a necessity to market Boryeong mud cosmetics that are said to contain essential minerals for better skin health.

Indeed, a large assortment of mud products are sold at the festival: mud body cleansers, mud packs, shampoos, sun block lotion, cleansing cream are packaged for retail consumption. They don’t come cheap, however, so if you want to get all the benefits of Boryeong mud and then some, get down and dirty and pack away a good helping for use at home if you don’t mind to pay extra luggage.

For the Boryeong Mud Festival video:

Here’s how festival revelers get wet, wild and dirty!

The post Boryeong Mud Festival 2013 appeared first on .

American Thanksgiving

Compared to Europe and Asia, America is a relatively young country. However, they have their own thanksgiving holiday, and is possibly one that is well recognized all over the world. It is also one of the most important holidays in the United States and it marks the start of the holiday season that includes Christmas and ends with the coming of the New Year.

Thanksgiving 2013

In 2013, Thanksgiving will fall on November 28.

Historical Roots

Modern day Thanksgiving is widely attributed to the celebration held in 1621 at Plymouth by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians. This first gathering was said to held after the first harvest in the New World, and many of the prepared foods were taken off the surrounding land.

Thanksgiving was officially declared as a national holiday by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. In 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared that the date of the holiday should be annually celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. However, some accounts show that President George Washington proclaimed in 1789 the first national celebration of Thanksgiving.

This Thanksgiving holiday is mostly secular, and is celebrated in Canada, Puerto Rico and Norfolk. Most government and public offices as well as schools, businesses and organizations are closed on Thanksgiving Day. Expect regular traffic and travel to be disrupted.

Food Fest

Like many gatherings of thanksgiving, the American Thanksgiving is known for its lavish feast. Pilgrim community leader and first thanksgiving attendee Edward Winslow noted in a letter the food that was prepared and served during that first gathering. Among of these are barely, corn, wild turkey and venison. The crops were grown by the people, and the fowl was hunted and prepared from the wild.

These days, people prepare all sorts of dishes for Thanksgiving dinner. These are mostly based on personal preferences and personal traditions. Immigrants bring in their own dishes and add it to the ones that are traditional to the American celebration. Of course, central dishes in this feast are turkey with stuffing and cranberry sauce, vegetable dishes and the like. For dessert, there’s always pumpkin pie. These represent the dishes that were served all those years ago.

Unusual Traditions

It’s interesting to note that America has quirky traditions when it comes to Thanksgiving. Each year, two turkeys receive a presidential pardon, therefore saving them from being served on the dinner table. This has been a longstanding tradition, and its origins have been quite forgotten.

Thanksgiving Parade

In most parts of the country, Thanksgiving is celebrated with a parade. However, one of the most well-known and much anticipated parades is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Conceptualized in the 1920s by immigrant employees of Macy’s department store, it was initially meant for them to show their appreciation for their adopted country. Over the years, more participants joined in the parade. Over a million people watch it along the streets of Manhattan, while an additional four million or so watch it from the comforts of their homes as seen on national television.

Not Celebrating Thanksgiving

Despite its popularity, Thanksgiving is not celebrated by everyone in America. Since 1970, a group of Native Americans along with their supporters stage a protest on this day. It is called a National Day of Mourning and happens at Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts.

American Indian Heritage Day

American Indian Heritage Day or Native American Heritage Day is celebrated the Friday after Thanksgiving. This is an annual holiday that recognizes the culture and heritage of the native Americans, as well as their contributions to the country.

Shopping Season

Because of its proximity to Christmas, Thanksgiving also marks the start of the Christmas season. The Friday after Thanksgiving is also known to the retailers as Black Friday. Here, shops and stores have special offers on their wares, and many of their products can be bought at discounted prices. This day is often a non-working day, thus making Thanksgiving a four-day long holiday for most people.

The American Thanksgiving has a long history and closely ties the people through tradition and culture. Over the years it has grown and adapted to the country’s dynamic people, but the core of it stays the same. Thanksgiving is coming together with family, friends and the community in gratitude for the blessings received in the past year.

The post Thanksgiving 2013: Coming Together in Gratitude appeared first on .

WOMAD 2013 will take place from July 25 until July 28 in Wiltshire, England.

From West African “Griots” to 100 Other Artists from 40 Countries

The core goal of WOMAD is to give performance artists of all colors and stripes the opportunity to showcase their talent before eager audience where there is none in their home countries. In this day and age of split-second look-up in massive search engines populated with billions and billions of indexed pages and yielding results in millions, who wants to hear oral tradition from West Africa?

But “griots” bring indeed just that, and then some. These people are repositories of their oral traditions, and they cleverly weave their stories with their music for a more well-rounded performance.

The ensemble of talents comes from little-heard places like Mali, Senegal, Niger Republic, Mongolia, Cape Verde and Azerbaijan. This year, while the acts are yet to be confirmed, there will be 100 artists coming from 40 countries who will showcase what they have got.

Not Just the Sights And Sounds But The Taste of the World, Too

With four days to celebrate and dozens of nationalities coming together in one small park (Charlton Park, Malmesbury), it is inevitable that the neighbor’s cooking would waft into another’s tent. To satisfy the curious palates of the festival participants, an international cook off (of musicians and artists themselves) adds spice to the already steaming hot plate of sights and sounds that the participants are going to get for the duration of the festivities. Food-tasting events in the Global Village are likely to inspire the musically inclined to diversify to the culinary arts. The visual artist may want to seal his love affair with the WOMAD by learning skin art and/or getting one.

Children are not left out in the festivities. There are workshops solely intended for them, so they cultivate the love of everything artsy early on: making graffiti and clay models, painting, story-telling and circus-performing are just some of the things they get to learn when they sign up in one of the festival’s many workshops.

Of course, adults get to learn to play unusual musical instruments, stretch in yoga sessions, twist and turn in salsa lessons, and maybe even bar-hop in night owl happenings.

The Global Market

Inevitably, when people gather, they tend to exchange all sorts of intangible and tangible things. The WOMAD is exactly the kind of international event where the exchange of food and wares comes natural. Aptly named “The Global Market,” a portion of the festival grounds is turned into an international bazaar of trinkets and treasures that come from the artists’ home countries.

Origins of the WOMAD

Founded in 1980 by Genesis frontman Peter Gabriel, in collaboration with Thomas Brooman, Bob Hooton, Stephen Pritchard, Martin Elbourne and Jonathan Arthur, the WOMAD has since evolved from just a musical ensemble into a full-blown, multi-flagged festival that aspires to express all forms of art without pigeonholing it, as usually happens in mainstream art scene. To borrow a publishing jargon, one can expect that some performances are likely to “fall between two stools” if they were to be showcased before a mainstream audience outside of WOMAD.

Because acts that fall between two stools are hard to market in the real world, WOMAD performers often find themselves devoid of appreciative audience. This is what WOMAD has always tried to address: international exposure for undiscovered local talents.

The post WOMAD Festival 2013 appeared first on .

St. John the Baptist’s festival on June 24 is observed all over the country with water dousing ritual. Generally, the people do it the socially accepted way like swimming at the beach, pools or springs. Some cities and towns make a career out of this observance, turning dry land into one great Waterworld for a day. But that is even tame in the context of “Parada ng Lechon” (Parade of Spit-Roast Pig) where one place in particular stretches the festivities to comedic proportions. The citizens of this small town don’t find it funny though, it is just how they do San Juan (St. John) traditionally.

Water and Pork Go Well Together

“Lechon” or spit-roasted pig is the traditional star of Filipino “fiestas” (festivals). No Filipino table is ever complete without serving crispy swine. This time, however, the “lechon” is the guest of honor of the festivities.

The people of Balayan, Batangas in Southwestern Luzon celebrate San Juan not only with water dousing but also with parading roast pig around town in a church-permitted procession. From all angles it looks irreverent, but it is serious business among the churchgoers.

Batanguenos (as the natives are called) have a way of preparing “lechon” that locks in all the flavors and preserves the crispiness of the skin. Long before the Spanish arrived, Batanguenos had already perfected the spit-roasting of pigs, a skill that requires patience for 5 slow hours.

Roast Pig Attending Mass

The priest of the local parish commemorates the baptism of St. John with a mass, while rows of “lechon” await outside the church grounds. Once the “lechon” and the mass goers are blessed, the parade commences.

“Lechon” Outfit: From Mischievous to Downright Naughty

Interestingly, the “lechon” is not paraded for public viewing ‘naked’. Sponsors, usually local business, can get as creative as they want in dressing up the ‘lechon’, so expect some crazy expressions of Filipino creativity gone wild. There are ‘lechon’ wearing wigs, sunglasses and raincoats, to lechon donning jerseys and hula skirts complete with pom-poms. If “lechons” are allowed to ride Harleys, it also stands to reason they are allowed to wear superhero uniforms.

Cholesterol-Laden Banquet

Hundreds of “lechon” are paraded in Balayan, Batangas every June 24th, so after the traditional processions, the only thing left to do with the ‘guest of honor’ is to feast on it. There is plenty for everyone to go around, so for tourists who are particularly fond of pork, they may want to do some portion control or risk unpleasant side effects.

It’s Raining Beer

In keeping with the San Juan tradition of ‘baptism’, participants in the “parada” are doused with water and beer! The liquids can sometimes be chilled and even freezing, so tourists who participate in the parade (or are even just watching) need to take getting wet in good humor. After all, despite the “lechon”, the undertone of the occasion is still ‘baptism’.

The post Parada ng Lechon: St. John the Baptist’s Festival with a Porky Twist appeared first on .

Pagan Origins

Originally a harvest festival, the “Pahiyas” of Lucban, Quezon Province in Luzon, was first celebrated as a thanksgiving to the “anitos” (ancestors) for bountiful harvest: Pre-colonial Lucbanins would put out fresh produce as offerings. With the spread of Catholicism in the country, this eventually became a feast of San Isidro Labrador (St. Isidore the Laborer), the patron saint of agriculture.

“Pahiyas” means “to decorate” (the root word being “hiyas” or jewel). True to its name, the houses during the festivities are bedecked with such extravagance that “Pahiyas” puts to shame all other harvest festivals celebrated in the country.

“Kiping” the Faith

Pahiyas stands out as unique in the Philippines (and possibly the world) because it uses decor that is not only pleasing to the eyes but also to the palate. The identifying decor of Pahiyas is made from ground rice, the Philippines’ major grain.

Ground rice is made into paste and ‘painted’ unto leaves of various shapes and sizes so rice takes on this form when dried. The resulting delicate rice wafers called “kiping” (pronounced the same way as “keeping”) are then meticulously removed from the leaves and dyed using food color so they can be used as base material for various ornaments, the most photographed of which are chandelier-like artworks.

The “kiping” can also be arranged as floral decors, or tableaus depicting local sceneries. Some houses are even wall-papered with “kiping” leaves and petals, and bedecked with other ornaments that come from the farm.

Ginger Butterfly and Bean Curtains

Aside from the riot of colors brought about by using colorful rice wafers, households also decorate the facades of their houses with fresh farm produce. Foot-long beans are strung together to make curtains; pear squash are arranged with ginger to make butterflies; red bell peppers are clustered together to make garlands; and cayenne pepper and tomatoes and squash are assembled together to make crude jack-o-lanterns. Rice stalks and rice straw get second lives as effigies depicting farm characters and farm life. What was once an ancient ritual of offering fresh produce to the ancestors has indeed taken creative leaps and bounds.

The Trail of Rice Wafers

Pahiyas is celebrated on May 15 every year, the same date as St. Isidore’s death anniversary.

To commemorate the saint, his image and that of his wife Sta. Marria Torribia, are carried around town in “carrozas” (carriages) as is customary of any Catholic procession. The priest then blesses the grains and seeds and farm implements that are placed in front of the houses along the route. People used to bring these farm inputs to the church in the belief that such a blessing will ensure next year’s good harvest.

For tourists wishing to join the procession, all they need to do is follow the trail of the “kiping”: All the houses along the route are bedecked with these colorful and edible rice crispies.

After the blessings, all the farm produce, native products and “kiping” are given away. While the rice wafers can be kept as mementos (they last quite long if kept dry), they are actually best deep-fried and dipped in sugar for a crackling taste of the festivities.

The post Pahiyas: A Burst of Festival Colors Made From Edible Rice Wafers appeared first on .

There are many legends that are attached to Deepavali, but the most common among of all these is based on the story of how Lord Sri Krishna defeated the tyrannical king Narakasura. As the story goes, Narakasura was blessed by God and given a kingdom to rule. However, his subjects did not like how he ruled, so they prayed to Lord Sri Krishna for help. The defeat of Narakasura happened during the night of the new moon, and the people lit clay lamps to welcome Lord Krishna home. This practice continues to this day, and Deepavali is considered to be a celebration of how good defeats evil.

The holiday is also associated with the goddess of wealth Lakshmi, as the Deepavali falls on the day that most Indian business communities begin their new financial year. It is believed that she walks around the Earth looking for places where she would be made welcome, therefore Hindus light candles and welcome guests into their homes for the festivities.

Celebrated around the world

Deepavali is celebrated not just in India, but in countries where there are followers of the Hindu faith. Both Singapore and Malaysia consider this as an important holiday, celebrated not just by the Hindus and Indians, but by many citizens, tourists and visitors of various faiths. Traditionally, Deepavali lasts for five days, so expect plenty of activities and wonderful sights to experience.

2013 Date

Because it follows the Hindu lunar calendar, the date of the holiday changes when looking at the Gregorian calendar. In 2013, the Ministry of Manpower of Singapore has declared that Deepavali will fall on November 3 (Sunday), but they also advised that the date be checked against the Indian Almanac for possible changes. Since Deepavali falls on Sunday, the next day, November 4 (Monday), will be marked as a public holiday.

Singapore Celebrations

Singaporeans celebrate Deepavali as one community, but most of the celebrations are centered in Little India. One of the most anticipated events for this holiday is the Deepavali Street Light Up, which often occurs almost a month before the actual Deepavali date. A Switch-On ceremony marks the official start of the Deepavali celebrations, filing the streets with fantastic light displays that are arranged in themes and captivating patterns. Buildings and establishments from Selegia Road all the way to Serangoon Road go all out with lights and decorations bursting with bright colors.

The Deepavali is also the perfect time for visitors to experience the Singaporean culture. Many cultural shows and performances by local artists are seen, and it is not just by the Indians, but also by other ethnic groups. In 2012, there was a Deepavali Heritage and Crafts Exhibition, which showcased the origins of Deepavali and the traditions associated with it, and I believe this is a yearly attraction.

Modern Adaptations

A modern Singaporean way of welcoming Deepavali is the Countdown Concert. Think of it as the equivalent to New York’s New Year’s Countdown. Here, many musicians and celebrities from Singapore and abroad perform for the audience, and fireworks will mark the holiday at the stroke of midnight.

In the past years, Deepavali celebrations also host a bazaar called the Deepavali Festival Village. Stall after stall have various items on sale, including ethnic Indian wear, jewelry and handmade artwork. These stalls also offer traditional festival items and food, like sweets, spices and cookies.

Continuing Traditions

Despite these modern changes to the Deepavali, many old traditions still hold fast to Singapore’s way of celebrating the holiday. It is tradition to wear new clothes, and some even have their hands decorated with temporary tattoos drawn with henna dye.

The Indians are also fond of sweets, and sharing various sweet delicacies is an important tradition in Deepavali. After performing the traditional prayers associated with the holiday, families, relatives and visitors are offered these blessed treats that are said to “symbolize the sweetness and happiness of a person’s life.”

It is also common for fireworks to be lit on the celebrations of Deepavali. Like the Chinese, the Hindus believe that the loud noise and bright lights will chase away bad fortune and usher in the good ones.

Malaysia Hari Diwali

Many Malaysians refer to the holiday as Hari Diwali, and their celebrations are also lavish and grandiose. There is no holding back when it comes to decorations, and nearly the whole country is decked out for the occasion. Families begin the day with a ritual oil bath called “ganga-snanam” to cleanse away their impurities from last year. Prayers are said at the family altar, and many visit their elders to pay their respects and receive blessings. A lavish meal is prepared that everyone partakes in.

Open house tradition

Malaysians have a unique tradition of opening up their homes to guests, family or otherwise, during festival celebrations and it is no exception during Diwali. Malaysians of various races and faiths are welcomed and ask to join in the celebration. In many instances, tourists even get to experience this show of goodwill and friendship.

Art for Prosperity

When visiting a Malaysian Hindu’s home during Diwali, you may notice intricate designs and patterns on the ground in front of their homes. These designs are called kolam, and is a form of South Indian art that makes use of rice powder or chalk that are dyed with different colors. A kolam is said to bring prosperity to homes, and are often seen during special occasions.

As with other Malaysian celebrations, children receive gifts of money from their elders similar to the “ang pau” envelopes the Chinese give out during birthdays and New Year. Oil lamps are not lit by most, but more modern lights are used as decoration. Firecrackers and bamboo cannons, however, are not allowed to prevent from causing injuries to people.

Batu Cave celebrations

The Batu Caves is considered to be one of the most important sites for Malaysian Hindus. Celebrations at the caves’ temple complex are often the highlight of the holiday. Crowds gather early in the morning for a feast of vegetarian dishes.

During Diwali, the Malaysians make it a point to share their blessings with the less fortunate. It is also a practice done during other festive occasions.

Most of all, Deepavali is an important holiday to be with your loved ones and treasured friends.

Photos by Balaji Dutt, chooyutshing, chooyutshing, chooyutshing and Johnragai

The post Deepavali 2013: Celebrating the Festival of Lights appeared first on .

History of Makha Bucha

Several different sources cite the origins of this day to certain events that occurred in the Buddha’s lifetime. Just nine months after his Enlightenment, 1,250 monks came to see the Buddha without a preset schedule. This gathering gave the Buddha the opportunity to teach them the “Ovādapātimokha” or the principles of Buddhism: do what is good, cease all evil and purify the mind.

In Thailand, these teachings are known as the “Heart of Buddhism”. This gathering occurred on the full moon during the third lunar month.

Another event celebrated during this day occurred 45 years later, shortly before the end of the Buddha’s life. Here, the Buddha gave his final teachings and achieved the final Nirvana or “Parinibbhana” where his spirit or mind is separated from the physical body. This also happened on the full moon day of the the third lunar month.

Makha Bucha Activities

Makha Bucha day is a highly religious festival, one that is strongly observed throughout the country. Buddhists visit temples to pay their respects to the Buddha. Many hear sermons and the teachings of the Buddha, while others use this day to build up their merit by doing good deeds and participating in special events (tum boon). There are also other activities that are slated for this occasion.

Wian Tiam

This is a candlelit procession that is held on the eve of Makha Bucha in various temples around Thailand. Monks and other devotees circle these temples in a clockwise direction and carry with them three items: a lighted candle, flowers and a lighted incense stick. These items represent the Three Jewels of Buddhism: the Buddha, his teachings or the Dhamma, and the monkhood or Sangha.

Keeping the Five Precepts

This practice is known as rub sil. This is considered as the basic code of ethics for Buddhism, and many devotees try to follow them as much as they can. These five precepts are:

• To abstain from harming any living thing;
• To abstain from stealing;
• To abstain from all intoxicants;
• To abstain from backbiting, gossip, intrigue, and from telling lies
• To abstain from sexual immorality

Additionally, several other principles are followed by different Buddhist practices and the wording of each principle varies on tradition.

Celebrations with the Thai King

The King and Head of State of Thailand participates in special ceremonies for Makha Bucha. Some thirty monks are invited to have breakfast at the royal palace, after which they pray and chant mantras of the Buddha’s teachings. Candles of the same number of monks who visited the Buddha all those years ago are lit by the King shortly after. Often, these ceremonies are aired live on television for the faithful to see.

No Alcohol

Tourists should note that while many restaurants and dining establishments around Thailand will be open during Makha Bucha, they most likely will not serve alcoholic beverages. Most bars will also be closed at this time.

State and government office operations are also closed on Makha Bucha day.

The post Makha Bucha Day 2016 appeared first on .

Lord Murugan is the son of the god Shiva and his wife Parvati, and was sent to help defeat the demon Soorapadam using a “vel”, which is a spear or a lance.  Thaipusam is a holiday of thanksgiving and celebrates the victory of good versus evil.

To the Hindus, Lord Murugan represents youth, power and virtue. He is also revered as a “granter of favors”. In these celebrations, his devotees not only show their thanks, but also come to offer prayers and ask for blessings.

Burdens for blessings

Lord Murugan’s devotees show their respects by carrying physical burdens called kavadi. Offering one to Lord Murugan is believed to bring peace and good luck.

The typical kavadi is a small arch structure made of wood. It is covered on the sides with peacock feathers and is carried on the devotee’s shoulders. Simple offerings such as pots of milk are also offered.

Some of the kavadi are elaborate creations that can reach several feet high, and their bearers insert small lances (also called “vel”) and hooks on the body.

Long Preparation

The preparation of kavali bearers for Thaipusam begins weeks before the day of the celebration. Strict vegetarian diet must be followed, along with living a life of abstinence. This allows the devotee’s body and mind to be cleansed and give them the strength to fulfill the task of carrying the kavali without pain. Family and friends walk alongside the bearer for support and encouragement.

Outside the Tamil community of South India, Thaipusam is widely celebrated in the countries of Singapore and Malaysia by Tamil communities. It is a holiday for both countries, and is one of the more popular events that draws not just devotees but also onlookers and tourists.

Singapore Celebrations

The Thaipusam chariot procession in Singapore kicks off early in the morning from the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in the Little India district. Visitors staying in a downtown Singapore hotel will have a front sit to this unique celebration. Devotees make their walk of faith to Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on Tank Road, 4.5 km away. The first devotees of the procession carry milk pots and simple wooden kavadi. Some devotees take to piercing their cheeks and tongues as their burden. The devotees bearing the more elaborate kavadi make the walk later in the day.

The colorful procession is accompanied by music and the sounds of devotees chanting as they walk along.

Malaysia Celebrations

Thaipusam is a public holiday in several states in Malaysia including Selangor, Penang, Johor and Kuala Lumpur. The biggest celebration happens in the Batu Caves which is considered by the Malaysian Hindus as one of the holiest places in Malaysia that is associated with their faith.

Small shrines can be found around the hill where the caves are located, but the temple dedicated to Lord Muruga can be found in the biggest cave of Batu. The procession begins very early in the morning at the Sri Mahamariamman Temple in Kuala Lumpur. It is an eight mile hike from the city to the caves, and the procession takes around eight hours to complete. Devotees then climb the 272 steps of the caves, carrying their offerings and shouting “Vel! Vel! Vel!” as they go. Kavadis and other offerings are left at the temple, near the feet of Lord Murugan’s statue.

In Penang, devotees start the 10 hour procession from Nattukottai Chettair Temple at Thaipusam eve, and arrive early in the morning at the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani  Hilltop Temple.

Other South East Asian Countries

While a major holiday in Singapore and Malaysia, it passes by quietly in other countries in the SE Asia region. However, it does not mean that it is not celebrated by devotees residing in these countries, but most likely in a smaller and less grandiose scale.

Photo by beggs

The post Thaipusam 2013: Celebrating the Victory of Good Over Evil appeared first on .