Travel Colorfully: The Festival of Lights

"Beautiful" is a commonly overused adjective, especially when referring to travel sights. However, it doesn't even begin to describe the stunning display of magic, peacefulness and spirituality that the Yi Peng and Loy Krathong festivals emanate to their spectators.

Yi Peng in Chiang Mai

Yi Peng is a Lanna festival held on the a full moon of the 2nd month in the Lanna calendar. The event happens to coincide with Loy Krathong, making it a week or two of spiritual festivities. As Chiang Mai is the former capital of the Lanna Kingdom, the festival is best celebrated here and thousands of Thais and tourists alike travel to Chiang Mai during the end of November.
Although many lanterns are lit throughout the city, the main Lanna Thai celebration led by Buddhist monks took place at Mae Jo University on November 24, 2012 where approximately 10,000 khom loi lanterns (floating lanterns made of rice paper and roll of waxy flammable tape) are released simultaneously into the night sky. The sky lit up with an ethereal glow.
According to a some locals, a khom loi is lit and released for Yi Peng to rid the self of negativity and evil. It is also to wish for prosperity in business and future endeavors.

Tip: There are normally 2 Yi Peng ceremonies a year, abut a week apart. The touristy one is highly advertised by TAT and seems quite elaborate. However admission is $80 USD. I chose to attend the free locals' ceremony for a more authentic experience. Both ceremonies require proper dress (shirts with covered shoulders and bottoms below the knee). Also, lanterns bought outside the grounds aren't allowed--so wait until you're there to buy the lantern unless you want to release a few lanterns early for practice. The festival started at 6pm, but it's best to leave Chiang Mai for Mae Jo University (approximately 8 miles away) around 3pm to avoid some traffic and save yourself a spot. It was awfully crowded! Be prepared to deal with many people, slow foot traffic getting out of the grounds and endless crowds. However, its well worth it!

Loy Krathong in Sukhothai

After Yi Peng in Chiang Mai, I made my way south to Sukhothai for the full moon celebration of Loy Krathong. The origins of Loy Krathong are not clearly known, however it is believed to have originated since the Sukhothai period. Loy means "to float" and krathongs are vessels typically made of banana leaves, a candle, an incense stick, and decorative flowers. It is customary to put fingernail clippings or hair strands and money in the krathong.

There are 3 purposes to float the krathong:

To pay homage to a Buddha footprint at the bottom of the ocean, the Namatha Mahanathee.
To show gratitude to the Goddess of Water for providing us water and life, and to ask for forgiveness for the abuses done unto her during the past year.
To float away sorrows and unpleasant past. To pray for good luck and fortune in the coming year.

Many Thai people from all over the country and several foreign visitors joined the city's residents for the five-day festival. The ground of the central Old City were transformed into a carnival of sorts, filled with food, massages, clothing and goods, krathong booths, and parades. There were various krathong making contests, monk ceremonies, local music and traditional performances. Events ran from sunrise until past 11pm. On the evening of Loy Krathong, the 28th, we attended the Light and Sound show before partaking in the krathong floating ceremony. The Old City was so vibrant, lively and spiritual; a perfect time to visit Sukhothai.