On the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month, the tide in the rivers is highest and the moon at its brightest, creating a romantic setting ideal for lovers. The Thai people choose this day to hold the 'Loy Kratong' festival, or the 'festival of light.' Loy Kratong is one of the two most recognized festivals in the country.
Loy Kratong is probably the most picturesque and beautiful of all
Thai celebrations. 'Loy' literally means 'to float,' while 'kratong'
refers to the lotus-shaped receptacle which can float on the water.
Originally, the kratong was made of banana leaves or the layers of
the trunk of a banana tree or a spider lily plant. A kratong contains
food, betel nuts, flowers, joss sticks, candle and coins. The making
of a kratong is much more creative these days as many more materials
are available.
The Loy Kratong ritual is a simple one. One needs only to light the
candles and the joss sticks, make one's wishes and let it float away
with the current of a river or a canal.
On that day, thousands of people will gather beside the canals and
rivers. With kratong in hands, they light the candle, put some coins
in the kratong and silently make a wish, and carefully place their
kratongs in the water and release them to the current.
They watch intently as the float drifts silently downstream, hoping
that the candle will not go out. Its flame is said to signify longevity,
fulfillment of wishes and release from sins. Altogether it is considered
a romantic night for couples or lovers. Couples who make a wish together
on Loy Kratong are thought to stay together in the future.
Origins
Different legends surround the origins of Loy Kratong.
The most popular version is it was an expression of gratitude
to the goddess of water 'Phra Mae Kongka' for having
extensively used, and sometimes polluted, the water from
the rivers and canals. It is also in part a thanksgiving
for her bounty in providing water for the livelihood of
the people.
Some believe the festival originates from Buddhism.
They say the offering of flowers, candles and joss-sticks
is a tribute of respect to the footprint of the Lord Buddha
on the sandy beach of the Narmaha River in India, as well as
to the great Serpent and dwellers of the underwater world,
after the Lord Buddha's visit to their watery realm.
It is possible that this is derived from a Hindu festival
that pays tribute to the god Vishnu, who meditates at the
center of the ocean.
Others believe that the floral kratong is offered to
the pagoda containing the Lord Buddha's topknot,
which was cut off at his self-ordination and is now
in heaven. Another explanation is that it is a way
to pay respect to one's ancestors.
Whatever the true origin, the practice of Loy Kratong
first began in the ancient kingdom of Sukhothai in
the 13th century. A young queen named Nang Noppamas
was believed to be the one who made a small boat laden
with candles and incense and floated it down the river.
The name Nang Noppamas has been associated with
Loy Kratong ever since.
Today, Loy Kratong offers a unique occasion to celebrate.
It's a good time for people to make wishes and look to
the future as they float their floral offerings along
the waterways.
Where to celebrate
Although celebrated nationwide, Loy Kratong is particularly
delightful in the provinces of Sukhothai, Chiang Mai,
Ayutthaya and Bangkok.
As the place of origin of the festival, Sukhothai rightly
remains the focal point of the celebrations. The festival
comes with a spectacular light-and-sound show held in the
ancient and traditional setting of the Sukhothai historical park.
Chiang Mai is another prime site to celebrate Loy Kratong.
The festival is known in northern dialect as 'Yi Peng.'
The largest kratongs are decorated floats, paraded through
the town on trucks. The colorfully lit floats form a long
glittering parade as they make their way to the river.
Meanwhile, up above thousands of 'khom loy' (floating lanterns)
drift into the night sky. These large balloon-like lanterns are
released at temples and sometimes from private homes in the hope
that misfortune flies away with them.
Source : http://www.thailand.com/travel/festival/festivals_loykratong.htm
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