Loy Krathong or the Festival of Floating Bowls is the most beautiful of all the Thai Buddhist festivals. It is celebrated all over Thailand with great fervor on the full moon night of the twelveth lunar month. The scene of illuminated bowls floating over the water captures the heart of the viewer.

The Celebration
In Thai language, Loy means 'to float' and Krathong means 'a little basket-boat containing small flowers and other offerings'. The krathongs are launched over the water. Hindus regard the ritual as a way to pay respect to Mother Water. Buddhists take it as the symbol of the journey of human soul across the world of flesh and blood.

The ritual is simple. One has only to light the joss stick and the candle, make a wish, put the krathong on the water surface and let it float away. Traditionally, the krathongs are made of banana leaves, spider lily plant or banana trunk. They contain food, flowers, joss sticks, betel nuts, coins and candles. Legend has it that the Festival started in the ancient Thai capital of Sukhothai more than 700 years ago.

Variety of Krathongs
Apart from conventional krathongs, highly elaborate hanging krathongs are also made. These tall krathongs, displayed around water bodies each year, are nice piece of art. In Northern Thailand, many people float paper balloons, also called floating lanterns, filled with hot air, are released from temples and homes. Watching a chain of lanterns moving up in the air is a fascinating sight.