Northern Thailand’s lantern festival, Yi Peng, is perhaps probably the most magical competition on the earth. Not solely is this pageant enchanting, but it’s loaded with non secular and cultural significance. Thus, it’s an efficient way for vacationers to study more about Thailand’s rich culture and traditions.
If you’ve been dreaming about witnessing this mesmerising occasion with your own eyes, here is every thing you should know in regards to the festival.
Yi Peng (sometimes written as Yee Peng) is a traditional Lanna competition that takes place in Northern Thailand. During the festival, individuals launch paper lanterns known as khom loi into the sky. Hence, it’s generally referred to as the Lantern Festival or the Festival of Light. The act of releasing the lantern symbolises letting go of dangerous luck and misfortunes from the previous 12 months and wishing for good fortunes in the coming yr. Buddhists imagine that if you make a want while releasing the lantern, it’ll come true.
The lanterns are launched at approximately the identical time within the evening. The view of hundreds of lanterns ascending into the night sky, with various levels of brightness and speeds, is really mesmerising. Because of this, the Yi Peng festival is commonly thought-about the most magical pageant in Thailand.
Although the spotlight of the Yi Peng festival is the lanterns, there are other actions that happen as a part of the celebration. You can watch the official Yi Peng Parade, conventional Thai dance reveals, stay music, handicraft classes, fireworks, and firecrackers. Additionally, you can even discover numerous meals vendors on the pageant. Northern Thailand really involves life throughout Yi Peng. The towns are adorned with colourful hanging lanterns, and the entrances of temples are full of flowers. In addition, many people decorate their homes with lit candles as a way to make merit.
Yi Peng is well known on the full moon of the twelfth month of the Thai lunar calendar, which often falls in November. In 2021, the competition will happen on Friday, November 19. It coincides with Loy Krathong Festival, and the two festivals are sometimes fused together. The major occasion of both festivals happens after darkish.
Although most cities and cities across Northern Thailand celebrate Yi Peng, Chiang Mai is the most effective place to expertise this lovely festival. The entire city is full of festive celebrations, from colourful lanterns and candles lining the streets to parades and music.
If you want to take part a mass lantern launch and get a spectacular photo-op, Mae Jo University is one of the best place to go. The mass launch normally happens at 6.30pm, but you want to arrive properly in advance if you want to get a great spot. Besides the lantern launch, you probably can generally enjoy cultural performances as nicely.
For those that wish to actually immerse themselves in the competition and luxuriate in it like the locals, the most effective places to go are the Three Kings Monument, Nawarat Bridge on the Ping River, and Thapae Gate. The majority of the religious actions normally occur within the Three Kings Monument. These embrace a candle-lighting ceremony and a Buddhist worship ritual. For competition parades, meals distributors, and fireworks, Thapae Gate is one of the best place to be.
Since Yi Peng is often mixed with Loy Krathong in Northern Thailand, Nawarat Bridge on the Ping River is a good place to go if you need to watch a magical sight of hundreds of lanterns floating within the sky and lotus-shaped baskets on the water.
If you don’t wish to take part in the competition and would quite watch the lanterns drifting into the evening sky from afar, head to certainly one of Chiang Mai’s rooftop bars.
Launching your very personal lantern into the night time sky is possibly the most thrilling a part of Yi Peng.
You can discover many vendors promoting lanterns on the road on the day of the pageant, so that you don’t really need to purchase lanterns in advance. It’s greatest to buy bigger lanterns as a end result of they’re a lot easier to launch. A big lantern normally costs around 50 to a hundred baht. Also, remember to select a lantern that’s made from environmentally friendly materials, corresponding to rice paper and bamboo. Be cautious when holding the lantern. Since the paper could be very skinny, it could tear simply.
Lighting and launching a lantern by your self is kind of difficult, so it’s finest that you’ve got a lantern release associate. If you’re travelling alone, it’s a good way to make new friends! Once you discover a associate, one individual ought to hold the paper and the other light the circular block on the base of the lantern. After you gentle it, be positive to hold it tightly as sizzling air will begin to fill the lantern, and it’ll start to pull upwards. When your lantern starts to carry and pulls your arms, you’ll have the ability to gently release it into the evening sky. Make sure to let the lantern float naturally with out pushing it. Don’t overlook to make a want or hope for the future before you release 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 2 festivals are literally different. Loy Krathong is properly known all around Thailand. It includes floating baskets manufactured from leaves, flowers, candles, and incense which might be released right into a physique of water. One of the needs of this competition is to pay respect to the water goddess and the Buddha.
Yi Peng, on the opposite hand, is a competition distinctive to Northern Thailand. Because Shocking and Loy Krathong happen on the same day, the two festivals are often celebrated together in Northern Thailand.
Since the lanterns can interfere with aeroplane’s flight paths, they’ll solely be launched between 7pm and 1am on pageant days. You additionally shouldn’t release the lanterns wherever you want, only in permitted lantern zones. Violating the foundations may find yourself in a fine and imprisonment.
Yi Peng is possibly the busiest time of year in Chiang Mai. People from all around the globe flock into town to experience the magical competition. Due to this reason, lodge rooms are normally in short supply. Therefore, if you want to go to Chiang Mai for Yi Peng, it’s greatest to e-book your accommodation early!
The lanterns launched during Yi Peng are made from rice paper with a wooden or bamboo frame and wire to carry the flammable coil or candle. Remember, what goes up should come down. So after festivities end, many of the lanterns end up in timber, the rivers, and on the ground, which might harm both the setting and surrounding communities. That’s why there are more governmental restrictions relating to the discharge of lanterns. If you’re not Buddhist, it might be finest to look at the attractive ceremony with out taking part in it.
Bear in mind that Yi Peng is a religious pageant. Therefore, be conscious to not impede folks from launching their lanterns and dress appropriately if you plan to go to a temple. Whether you’re observing or participating in the festival, it’s important to all the time be respectful..