Author Archives: auburn

Bangalore Fairs & Festivals

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Visit the Bangalore during the city’s fairs and festivals season and explore Bangalore’s amazingly vibrant culture and ancient traditions celebrated through many generations. Some of these festivals celebrated are exclusive to the city, while others are celebrated throughout the state. The festivals not only bring out the rich Indian cultural heritage of music, dance and color but also offer the city’s population the perfect escape from the boredom of everyday life. Citadines Richmond Bangalore offers the ideal Bangalore Service Apartment Accommodation for tourists to experience the rituals and traditions of these ancient festivals and to participate in the many interesting fairs held in the city year- round.

The Karaga festival is celebrated between March and April where devotees of the tradition carry ‘Karaga’ an earthen pot on their heads for more than 12 miles in a night time procession before immersing the pot in the Sampangi tank. The ancient tradition of balancing the Karaga pot on the head serves to depict the devotee’s strength of character.

The Travel & Tourism fair is a unique fair held since 1989, and is one of the main platforms for trade for the Indian Travel and tourism industry. The fair allows many of the budding travel and tourism firms to exhibit their products and services to a large number of consumers.

Kadalekaye Parishe, also known as the Peanut Festival & fair is celebrated in the month of November, and is held in order to celebrate the first groundnut coconut crop of the year. The festival and fair is held through the course of 3 days, and farmers of the Bangalore city visit the famous bull temple during the celebrations to obtain religious blessings. Farmers and traders also set up stalls in the street selling food items such as groundnuts, fried food, etc.

A few other popular festivals include the Diwali festival (the festival of lights), Mahashivratri (a festival dedicated to lord Shiva), Ganesh Chaturthi (in commemoration of the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha) and Pongal festival celebrated to mark the beginning of the harvest season in South India.

Bangalore festivals and fairs offer tourists a unique opportunity to experience in the many exciting traditions of the Indian culture, and is a definite must-see spectacle for anyone visiting the city.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Festival of the Hungry Ghost – To Pay Homage to the Dear Departed

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As the ones we love never depart until we choose to forget them, the Hungry Ghost Festival is celebrated with great pomp and blare by the Chinese across the world. During this festival all the deceased relatives are remembered and paid respect to. One of the most fascinating of Chinese festivals, it is one that will surely add color to your holiday if you happen to be in Singapore during the time of the festival. Indulging in the finest of luxuries available to you at 5 Star hotels Singapore has, such as The St. Regis Singapore the celebration will indeed thrill you with all its quaint rituals and deep, hidden meanings.

The Festival of the Hungry Ghost is also known as the Ghost Festival and Yu Lan, and is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the seventh month in the Chinese lunar calendar. The seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar is the month of August and this month is called the Ghost Month and the fifteenth day is called the Ghost Day by the Chinese.

Mainly observed by the Buddhists and Taoists this month is believed to be month in which the gates of hell are opened and the spirits of the deceased revisit the world they once lived in. The families of the deceased perform rituals to pardon the sufferers in hell while some families have elaborate meals of vegetarian food, serving to plates that are placed before empty seats for each of the deceased member of the family.

Some traditions also include floating decorated paper lanterns on water hoping that these would provide the direction and guidance needed to the revisiting ghosts to find food offerings that are prepared for them. Some even worry about stepping out of the house at night for fear of encountering a ghost on the way and carefully seek to avoid places that have water, as they believe that the ghosts of drowned mortals are more troublesome that the rest.

It is indeed an interesting and beautiful festival that lends much color and beauty to the life of the Chinese. Stemming from Buddhism combined with folklore this festival is indeed one that stands out as quite unique and special in the Chinese culture and tradition.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Sri Lankan pottery art – An art in itself

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Dug out of the earth and perfectly moulded into wondrous shapes, the Sri Lankan artists quite aptly manipulate the soil and employ them for various uses. Many of these utensils can be easily seen at Sri Lankan Art Gallery. Be it pots, pans and huge cauldrons for kitchen use, beautiful vases to be filled with tropical flowers from the garden for the living room or little knickknacks to adorn your table tops, Sri Lankan pottery art has evolved to such an extent that never ceases to amaze. Pottery is a unique art in itself. It is a difficult task that requires quite a lot of patience, talent and skill and these artisans have got that in plenty. The way in which they nimbly fashion a mound of earth, the amount of love and care that goes into each of their creations is truly something to behold.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Dragon Boat Carnival – A vibrant celebration of rich traditions!

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The dragon boat festival is a unique celebration of tradition. Lively and full of fun, it is a festival worth taking part in. It has the combination of the thrill of competition, colorful decoration and plenty of beer. From the beginning to the end you will be immersed in a party atmosphere like never before. Choose an accommodation site such as the exceptional Cosmo Hotel Hong Kong and you won’t miss out on the festivities.

The Hong Kong Dragon boat festival takes place every year sometime between the month of June and August. There is interesting history behind the event for the festival is actually a unique transformation of an ancient Chinese tradition where Dragon boats were used for various symbolic purposes. Today it is a mad competition or rather one wild and spirited sport that is filled with plenty of fun and endless excitement.

The highlight of the carnival is the dragon boat race. During the event, the Victoria harbor is adorned with dozens of painted boats with large dragon heads on each end. The boats all race to the finish line in one heart stopping challenge that warrants plenty of cheers and intense drumming. The ambience and the spirit of the festival only make the event all the more exciting. So pick your favorite boat and get into the groove, the excitement really is unmatched. The cherry on the top of all this festivity is delicious ice cold beer courtesy of the wild and crazy beer fest; pitchers and pitchers of beer to keep you in the mood all night long. Beer, cheer and boats are the perfect three words that describe this fantastic carnival. If you are planning a holiday to Hong Kong this year make sure that you are part of all this endless fun.

 

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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A Traditional and Cultural Japanese Theatre – Kabuki-za Theatre

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The capital of Japan, and the largest metropolitan city in the world, is the bustling and energetic city of Tokyo. Considered to be the most populous city in the whole world, Tokyo provides a fusion of rich oriental tradition with modern day chic design and lifestyle.

One of the most iconic and culturally significant landmarks of Tokyo is the Kabuki-za Theatre. Know as the principal theatre which showcased Japan’s unique ‘Kabuki’ genre of theatre, this landmark is a symbol of Japan’s cultural heritage and prowess is the visual arts, and thus is well worth a visit by any lover of the arts, or anyone who visits Tokyo to experience its rich traditions and customs.

Originally built in 1889 by Fukuchi Gen’ichirō, the Kabuki-za Theatre is located in Ginza, Tokyo. Ever since its inception it has been at the forefront of Kabuki theatre. Kabuki, which is a form of dance-drama, involves many colorful acts and vividly made up characters, and thus the halls of the theatre have provided much entertainment over the years. The structure of the theatre itself, change many times since its inception as the theatre was destroyed multiple times; due to the 1923 earthquake and due to Allied Bombing during World War II. Today the theatre stands gloriously designed in its traditional form with a heavy influence of traditional Japanese architecture. Many tourists and locals visit the Kabuki-za Theatre for its many entertaining and dazzling shows, which are held on a regular basis. Each Kabuki show has numerous acts, and it is highly recommendable that visitors of Tokyo, especially lovers of oriental culture, watch at least one act of the Kabuki shows and the Kabuki-za Theatre. The theatre is also equipped with Japanese restaurants that serve traditional Japanese meals during the intermission of shows, you a visit to the Kabuki-za Theatre is sure to treat you to an amazing Japanese experience.

Conveniently located in the popular Minato-ku district of Tokyo is the Somerset Azabu East Tokyo, a luxury serviced residence. Belonging to the internationally reputed Somerset Serviced Residencies, this residence offers fully equipped and elegantly furnished serviced apartments in Tokyo. A stay in a serviced apartment Tokyo of this residence not only allows you convenient access to key Toyko attractions, but also offers you the chance to experience the city in comfort and convenience due to the many services and amenities provided by the residence.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Firing Through The Waters – Dragon Boat Festival 2014

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Also known as Duanwu, the Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional holiday in the Chinese calendar and in parts of Asia where Chinese immigrants live. In Singapore this annual race comes to life at the Bedok Reservoir. A significant number of crews participate in the Dragon boat race which commemorates the famous Chinese scholar Qu Yuan. Overall the festival is meant to be a celebration; it is a display of Chinese culture and habits. Those who are not racing at the event generally feast on some of the delicious Chinese cuisine prepared for the day. The main items available are rice dumplings and rice wine and the Bedok Reservoir is filled with stalls that serve steaming dumplings for the spectators. Enjoying Chinese food is simply one aspect of the Festival, there are several other activities lined up for those who come to watch the race. Hanging icons of ZhongKui, Mugwort and Calamus, sporting perfumed medicine bags and writing spells is all part of the day’s celebrations.
Most of the activities have a symbolic and cultural meaning tied to it. For instance, making an egg stand at noon time was believed to be an effective way of preventing the spread of disease and evil. Chinese people consider it a sign of good health and well-being and look at it as a guard against evil spirits entering their homes. The major component of the festival is the dragon boat. The boat is human powered and is usually made from teak wood. Brightly colored designs often adorn the teak structure of the boat and it is somewhere between 40 to 100 feet long. The end of the boat is shaped like the open mouth of a dragon and the rear end is a jagged tail. There are around 80 oarsmen/women who row in the boat.
The race begins with a sacred ceremony; the boat is ‘brought to life’ with the painting of the dragons eyes. The winner of the race is determined by the first team to grab the flag that is at the end of the course. If you want to catch the action and get a good view of the race, then 5 start hotels Singapore would be a good fit for you. Singapore luxury suites offer a spectacular view of the Bedok Reservoir and most of the city’s landmarks. The St. Regis Singapore can be recommended for visitors who are keen to be at the center of all the action and enjoy the festival’s many activities.

Beautyworld Middle East 2014 In Celebration of Charm and Grace

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As a thing of beauty is certainly a joy forever, celebration of this glory was a common practice since the days of old. Many products and services have been introduced to the world over the centuries promoting beauty, which have gained mass popularity due to the emphasis given to this subject around the world. In Dubai, Beautyworld Middle East is organized in grand scale in this context where over 1000 companies in the industries related to beauty products assemble to meet clients and showcase the latest of their product ranges.

The Beautyworld Middle East is organized this year for the 19th year, having had a history of success and great mass appeal. So great was its success that it is now recognized among the top 3 exhibitions in the world. Organized by the reputed Messe Frankfurt group, a leading trade fair organizer in the world, it has contributed substantially to the development of the beauty and wellness industry in the Wider Middle East region over the years.

Beautyworld Middle East showcases products related to hair, nails and accessories, cosmetics and skin care, professional equipment and spa, machinery, packaging and raw material as well as fragrances. The exhibition is frequented every year by thousands of business visitors making it an ideal place to showcase products related to the beauty industry.

The exhibition will take place from the 27th to the 29th of May 2014, from 10 am to 6pm on all three days at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Open only to trade visitors, this exhibition is not to be missed by those with an interest in establishing connections with the global giants in the industry who will be present there.

If you are planning to visit the exhibition in the Middle East hotels will definitely have to be prior booked, given the number of visitors that will stream in to attend the event. Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Middle East can be recommended to those who wish to find accommodation closer to the venue, while also looking for the excellence provided by UAE hotels, in each aspect of the service standards.

Wesak Festival – A prominent religious event

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Sri Lanka is an enchanting island paradise with never a lack of things to fascinate you. Among Sri Lanka beach resorts, Anantaya Resort & Spa Chilaw is one of the finestChilaw hotels. Considered to be both a cultural and religious festival in Sri Lanka, Wesak commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing away of Lord Buddha. Celebrated on the full moon day of May every year, it is the most important day for Buddhists all across the world. The festival sees the country transforming into a land of colourful lanterns adorning every nook and corner as a celebration of the three most significant events of Buddhism. Hordes of pilgrims visit temples all across the country to indulge in religious activities and attain spiritual bliss.

 

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+

Bangkok Events & Festivals 2014

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The vibrant metropolis of Bangkok is a hotbed of culture, leisure, commercial aspects and colourful festivals. If in search of Sukhumvit accommodation, a preferable choice is Anantara Baan Rajprasong Bangkok which offers a selection of elegant Bangkok serviced apartments. Every year, a wide range of unique art installations, sumptuous food festivals, colourful temple fairs, spectacular stage productions and fabulous sales take place in the city, catering to the whims and fancies of locals and visitors. Apart from the Chinese New Year, Loy Krathong and Songkran, there are numerous other fantastic annual events including Bangkok International Jazz Festival, Royal Ploughing Ceremony and Moon Festival noted for their fascinating cultural aspects.

 

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Visakha Bucha Festival in Bangkok

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When in Bangkok make it point to experience some of the vibrant local festivals. Plan on staying at Bangkok serviced apartments? If so, Ascott Sathorn Bangkok features a selection of elegant serviced apartments Bangkok has to offer. One such festival is Visakha Bucha Day which is held in commemoration of Gautama Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and the passing away. It was on this day that Lord Buddha was born and 35 years later attained enlightenment. On the very same day at the age of 80 Buddha passed away to attain nibbana. Due to these reasons, this day is of great significance for Buddhists all over the world. This day in Thailand is a time for Buddhists to reflect on Buddha’s teachings and indulge in various spiritual activities.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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