When one thinks of Asia, the continent exudes diversity and sheer grandeur. From the snow-capped Himalayas to the tropical beaches in Thailand and Bali, there is much to admire. It is also home to some of the biggest and best festivals in the world. Here are some of the events you should experience when you are in Asia:
1. Holi (India and Nepal): This is the festival of colors and is celebrated in either February or March. It marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. People play with colors, dance, and feast on sweets.
2. Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival (China): The festival runs from December to February and is a celebration of all things ice. Sculptors make incredible ice castles, slides, and even life-size buildings made out of ice.
3. Thaipusam (Malaysia and Singapore): This festival is usually celebrated in January or February and is a Hindu event. Devotees pierce their bodies with hooks and skewers and carry heavy structures on their backs to show their devotion to Lord Murugan.
4. Yi Peng and Loy Krathong (Thailand): These two festivals are celebrated together in November and involve floating lanterns and wishing balls in rivers. Loy Krathong honors the river goddess and is celebrated in most parts of Thailand while Yi Peng is popular in northern Thailand and is a celebration of the full moon.
5. Songkran (Thailand): This is the Thai new year and is usually in April. It involves water fights, where people splash each other with water as a way of cleaning and blessing for the new year.
6. Lantern Festival (Taiwan): The festival happens in February and March and celebrates the first full moon of the lunar year. People light up the night with lanterns and eat sweet glutinous rice balls.
7. Lantern Festival (China): The festival is usually celebrated in mid-February and is a celebration of the end of the lunar new year. People release lanterns into the sky and pray for their wishes to come true.
Asia’s festivals are vibrant and rich; they celebrate everything from ancient customs to the new year. The world needs to explore Asia and partake in these events to fully enjoy the delights of the continent.
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