{"id":10776,"date":"2019-10-18T09:48:21","date_gmt":"2019-10-18T09:48:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pulseonline.co\/?page_id=10776"},"modified":"2019-11-06T14:14:54","modified_gmt":"2019-11-06T14:14:54","slug":"festivals-in-asia-a-celebration-of-culture-colours-and-traditions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/pulseonline.co\/index.php\/festivals-in-asia-a-celebration-of-culture-colours-and-traditions\/","title":{"rendered":"Festivals in Asia: A Celebration of Culture, Colours and Traditions"},"content":{"rendered":"

From charming to immersive, and even odd \u2013 festivals in Asia are a kaleidoscope of cultural celebrations. They have made the region truly a paradise to get up close with the locals and observe, as well as take part in their observances, ceremonies and rituals. Festivals are also the most fascinating time to visit a destination.<\/strong>
\nAsian Trails is giving clients the opportunity to experience some of the most unique and popular festivals in Asia, some of which date back hundreds of years, with programmes specially created around them.<\/strong>
\nPlan your travel dates around the events highlighted in this newsletter, and join local communities to participate in some of the oldest events in the region.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

‘Enlightenment\u2019 in Penang: 3 days of cultural and local delights\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Credit Asian Trails<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Deepavali or Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is a major cultural festival in Malaysia that falls between October and early November. It is celebrated by Hindus throughout the country to mark the triumph of good over evil.\u00a0<\/span>Be \u201cenlightened\u201d with Asian Trails Malaysia\u2019s 3-day programme that centres round the festival with exploration of the island\u2019s sights and dining on its famous hawker food. Ride in the colourful trishaws (three-wheeled passenger carts) through Georgetown\u2019s winding streets and the heritage zone.\u00a0 Visit Little India to join the devotees in the festival \u2013 a vibrant colourful scene with the rich Indian culture on display.<\/p>\n

4 days in Bali for the Galungan ceremony <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Credit Asian Trails<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Galungan Day is very special to the Balinese Hindu people as it marks the triumph of Dharma (good spirit) over Adharma (evil). It takes place every six months (210 days) in the Balinese calendar. Highlights include decorating temples with ornaments, preparing Balinese food for offerings (Ngelawar) and creating Penjor, a decorative bamboo pole.<\/span>
\n Asian Trails Indonesia invites guests to take part in this ceremony with its customised 4-day programme.<\/span>
\n It includes a visit to the homes of locals to observe the ceremony and help with the preparations. The programme is available in 2020 from February 17\u201320 and September 14\u201317<\/span><\/p>\n

3-day spectacular Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Credit Asian Trails<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival on Myanmar\u2019s Inle Lake is the biggest and one of the most famous events in Shan State. It is celebrated for 18 days during the Burmese month of October\/November.<\/span>
\nIt starts with a procession when images of Buddha are removed from their shrine in the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, placed on the Royal Karaweik barge and towed by leg-rowers in long boats around the lake. Races by these Inle leg-rowers is also a highlight.<\/span>
\nBe part of this traditional event with Asian Trails Myanmar. Its 3-day programme includes visits to pagodas and monk\u2019s blessing.<\/span><\/p>\n

3-day celebration of Mid-Autumn Festival in Hoi An<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Credit Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Mooncake Festival, falls on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. It is a time for family reunion to enjoy the full moon and eat mooncakes.<\/span>
\nThere is no lovelier place to follow the tradition of moon viewing than in the Vietnamese city of Hoi An. Asian Trails Vietnam has a 3-day programme to coincide with this festival.<\/span>
\nVisit a lantern workshop to learn how to make one for the celebrations, as hundreds will light up the town. There is also time to explore the well preserved Hoi Ancient Town.<\/span><\/p>\n

4 days in Chiang Mai: Lanterns, Lanna tradition, local immersion<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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credit Asian Trails<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The famous Chiang Mai Lantern Festival or Yi Peng Festival\u00a0takes place annually, in November. It is linked with the ancient Lanna Kingdom (13th-18th centuries), an Indianised state in present-day Northern Thailand.<\/span>
\nPeople release lanterns into the sky as part of the celebrations to symbolise letting go of ills and misfortunes in the previous year. The hundreds of floating colourful lanterns is truly a dazzling sight.<\/span>
\nJoin in the raising of the lanterns with Asian Trails Thailand\u2019s 4-day programme. Guests also get to interact with the local community around the Old City gate, as well as sight-see around this charming city.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lai Heua Fai: Laos\u2019 Day-long Fiesta of the Fire Boat<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Credit<\/a>
Credit Asian Trails<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lai Heua Fai means \u201cfloating boats of light downstream\u201d. This festival marks the end of the Buddhist Lent and the monks\u2019 three-month fast and retreat. It is held throughout Laos.\u00a0<\/span>
\nAsian Trails Laos has a day-long tour in Vientiane for clients to be part of the celebrations. It comprises city sightseeing before going to a local house to make small round containers or \u201cboats\u201d using banana leaves, which are filled with flowers, incense sticks and condiments.<\/span>
\nAt the bank of the Mekong the candles are lit and the boats of lights are floated away \u2013 a spectacular sight not to be missed!<\/span><\/p>\n

Dharma Shaman: 3 days of religious rituals and physical endurance<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Credit<\/a>
Credit Asian Trails<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The religious Dharma festival is held in the Tongren area of Gansu, a province in north central China. This area is known for Thangkha painters whose works on cotton or silk appliqu\u00e9 usually depict Buddhist deities, scenes, or mandala. Tibetan Buddhism is practised here.<\/span>
\nThe festival held in villages is a ritual of physical strength and pain endurance with participants inserting needles into their flesh and inflicting cuts to themselves to celebrate adulthood.<\/span>
\nAsian Trails China\u2019s 3-day programme takes guests to witness this rather unusual event. Sightseeing activities are also included. Departures for this tour is until August 20, 2020.<\/span><\/p>\n

\r\nHome<\/a>\r\n<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From charming to immersive, and even odd \u2013 festivals in Asia are a kaleidoscope of cultural celebrations. They have made the region truly a paradise to get up close with the locals and observe, as well as take part in their observances, ceremonies and rituals. Festivals are also the most fascinating time to visit a… <\/p>\n

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