5 Must-See Festivals in Asia

Asia is a mixing pot of different cultures and religion, each countries have its own festivities to celebrate. Tourists are already noting these special dates because they’re including it on their itinerary. The experience of witnessing these festivities firsthand doubles the fun for every visit. Here are the 5 must-see festivals in Asia.

HOLI FESTIVAL (INDIA)
Holi Festival is, also known as, the Festival of Colors because everybody will be, literally, colorful. People throw paint, dye and colored powder in celebration of the arrival of spring and the triumph of good versus evil. Each color has its own representation with red as the primary color for it symbolizes love and fertility. Green represents spring, nature and new beginnings. Blue is a holy color because it signifies the Hindu God Krishna. Yellow is mostly from turmeric which is very abundant in the country and symbolizes knowledge, happiness and peace.

BOUN BANG FAI / ROCKET FESTIVAL (LAOS)
A three-day festivities complete with music, dancing and merry-making, but on the third day is where the climax is, because locals will showcase their homemade rockets. A healthy competition arises for whoever can fire the highest rocket up in the sky. This festival may seem too be ruckus but this actually has a spiritual connotation because the rockets are a wake-up call to the God of Rain to water down their dying crops during dry season.

NYEPI (BALI)
Unlike other festivals which is loudly celebrated with lively music and partying, Nyepi is commemorated with utmost silence. Nobody is exempted on this “Day of Silence”, even tourists are required to stay in their rooms and contemplate in silence. From 6 AM until 6 AM the next morning, everyone is obliged to reflect, meditate and fast.

LOI KRATHONG (THAILAND)
This Festival of Lights is a majestic occurrence in the Kingdom of Thailand every November. Loi means to float and Krathong is a piece of banana trunk decorated with candles, flowers, and incense. Originally, they let banana trunks float in the river but in modern days, they substitute it to bread since it is eco-friendly. They, usually, include a photo, a token or any remnant of the past which they want to forget and say goodbye to. These is done annually to, also, give thanks to the goddess of the river for their agricultural blessings.

PING XI LANTERN FESTIVAL (TAIWAN)
Thousands of magnificent paper lanterns inscribed with sincere wishes light up the sky during the Taiwanese Lantern Festival, this is ritually done in the hopes that their ancestors will read their well-wishes and, eventually, answer their prayers. This northern village in Taipei is the only place where the lantern festival is allowed because its waters and mountains provide a safety harness and prevents the lanterns to stray too far away.