Author Archives: Kanya Mae

Kandy Esala Perahera – A Cultural Masterpiece!

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One of the most magnificent events in the Sri Lankan Buddhist culture is the Esala Perahera held in the scenic hill country. Commencing in August from the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic, this graceful parade circles around the city with several squads of dancers and performers. Here are some things you should know before you plan to witness this event.

Where and When?

You will have to travel to Kandy and find accommodation first, as this event takes place at night. Esala Perahera this year will take place from 14th to 24th August for a duration of 10 days. The parade will march through most streets close to the temple and will last for a few hours. It’s best to find accommodation in the heart of the city to get easy access to the event. You can find more things to do in the hill city during this time via Kandy Escapes.

Why Is It Important?

This celebration has been carried forward for centuries since the 3rd century BC as a tribute to the sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. The festivities are said to bring good fortune to the country by bringing rainfall and a good harvest. Today, it signifies the cultures and traditions of ancient Sri Lanka and is treasured by all Sri Lankans as an iconic and significant event.

What to Expect!

The Perahera will include many performances including whip crackers, fire-breathers, jugglers, dancers, drummers, and most importantly, elephants across the country dressed in illuminating costumes, and dancing. The highlight of the parade is the golden casket that carries a replica of the Tooth Relic on top of the Maligawa Tusker. The grandeur and elegance of the event will leave an unforgettable memory in anyone’s heart!

 

Experiencing the Macau Grand Prix – A Race Like No Other

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Providing breathtaking thrills for drivers and spectators alike, the annual Macau Grand Prix has become one of the highlights of the racing calendar. Here’s some background information on this famed event.

Image by: skeeze  via pixabay| CC0

History

Initially a sports car race, the Macau Grand Prix first took place in 1954 and evolved over the years to incorporate Formula 3 cars. In the 1970s touring cars were also introduced followed by a motorcycle race in 1976. The FIA GT World Cup was also added in 2008, making this a truly special event.

The Circuit

One of the highlights here is the Guia Circuit, a challenging 3.8 mile street circuit that is within easy reach of Hotel Okura Macau and other such centrally located luxury hotels in Macau. The circuit is known for its tight corners and fast straights which combine to form a testing course for both cars and bikes.

The Races

The main race is the Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix with the winning driver receiving the FIA Formula 3 World Cup. As part of the event, touring cars take part in the Macau Guia Race, while GT3-spec cars participate in the Macau GT Cup and motorcycles in the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix.

Race Days

The Macau Grand Prix generally takes place on the second or third weekend in November. Prior to the race weekend, Thursday and Friday are reserved for practice and qualifying with Saturday and Sunday set aside for the main races. In 2019, the event is scheduled to take place from 14th to 17th November.

 

Filled with wanderlust that seeks to explore distant shores and captivated by the colors and vibrancy of exotic cultures, Kanya Mae writes on the beautiful, exciting, and enchanting wonders of the world. She is a writer who not only has a passion for travel, but also has a background in fashion, art and media. Google+

Eid in Kuala Lumpur – A bright celebration

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The festival Eid-Ul Fitr also known as Hari Raya Aidilfitri in Malaysian is the Muslim celebration that takes place on the 10th month according to the Muslim calendar (Syawal). The festivities are to signify the end of a month of fasting, which is known as the Ramadan period.

Ramadan | Image Credit: john1cse via Pixabay

Ramadan | Image Credit: john1cse via Pixabay

The Ramadan month

This is the holiest of months for the Muslim devotees in Malaysia which amounts to about 60% of the population. During this month is compulsory that every person old enough to do so must abstain from eating, drinking or smoking during the day. This is done so that one may gain spiritual strength and develop good qualities such as patience and humility.

Religious observances

In the month of Ramadan, devotees give more priority to religious activities. Reading the Qu’ ran is considered an act that is most holy. The Holy Qur’an is recited each day. All 30 sections of the Qur’an are recited at the mosque, this is called Tarawih. The entire Holy Book must be recited throughout the Ramdan month.

Festival Preparations

Muslims, especially during this time, are ready to splurge their money on new clothes, textiles and baking utensils and ingredients. Well, it is safe to say that this is the best time to shop in Malaysia as prices are brought down. Malls are all spruced up for the occasion as well with lights and ketupat shaped ornaments. Moreover, spring cleaning and cooking up some yummy food is part of getting ready too.

The day of Hari Raya

Despite the fact that this is a massive celebration, greeting each other with the phrase ‘Selamat Hari Raya, maaf zahir dan batin’ means that the devotees ask forgiveness from one another for any wrong doing that has caused them physical or emotional pain. Streets are deserted as people go back to their home towns to be with family. The day of celebration starts with prayers early morning followed by visits to graves of family memebers. After all this comes the merry making and fun. If you happen to be in the country at this time, checkout the tasty traditional food at a Ramadan buffet in KL such as the buffet at The Westin Kuala Lumpur, for this is a great Eid experience.

Filled with wanderlust that seeks to explore distant shores and captivated by the colors and vibrancy of exotic cultures, Kanya Mae writes on the beautiful, exciting, and enchanting wonders of the world. She is a writer who not only has a passion for travel, but also has a background in fashion, art and media. Google+

The Kataragama Festival – Rituals Rooted in Tradition and Mystic

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Kataragama is a venerated religious site which is frequented by many Sri Lankans of all ethnicities. It also happens to be one of the 16 places on the island visited by the Lord Buddha.

History

The Kataragama deity is believed to have lived in the jungles near the Menik River with his two wives. King Dutugamunu is said to have visited the deity to fulfil a vow he made to him after defeating his rival. He was told to build a shrine on the location where a golden arrow shot by the Kataragama deity landed, hence, the location of the temple as seen today.

The Festival

The Kataragama festival commences 10 days prior to the full moon which falls on July and ends with a final parade known as a perehara on the full moon day. Devotees dressed in a symbolic white flock from all parts of the country and stand for hours to see the vernation takes place.

Things to See

The festival is extremely colourful and contains fascinating rituals rooted in a tradition which date back to ancient times. The parade is the most colourful and fascinating aspect of the festival and contains various dances, acrobatics along with a procession of elephants.

How to get there

The Kataragama Devalaya can be reached approximately in 5 hours from Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka via the Southern Expressway. Plenty of hotels in Kataragama, Sri Lanka are available to choose from for accommodation, including the likes of Mandara Rosen Kataragama.

Filled with wanderlust that seeks to explore distant shores and captivated by the colors and vibrancy of exotic cultures, Kanya Mae writes on the beautiful, exciting, and enchanting wonders of the world. She is a writer who not only has a passion for travel, but also has a background in fashion, art and media. Google+

Wai Kru Festival in Thailand – A Fascinating Spiritual Journey

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An event of profound religious and spiritual significance, the Wai Kru Festival or the Sak Yant Festival claims to bring physical and spiritual protection by way of the many exotic Sak Yant tattoos.

What is the Wai Kru Festival?

An intense experience and one of the famous festivals in Bangkok, the Wai Kru Festival is also known as the Sak Yant Festival. The Wai Kru Festival is not to be confused with the traditional phrase “Wai Kru” that is part of a ritual where students pay gratitude to their teachers.

Tattooing the Devotees

Over 10,000 Buddhist devotees gather at the Wat Bang Phra (temple) in Thailand for the Wai Kru Festival. The tattooists or the monks at the temple draw protective tattoos on the devotees with a single long needle about 18 inches long and 4 millimetres in width. Popular designs include tigers, monkeys and ancient Cambodian script.

Highlights of the Event

Some devotees with protective tattoos are said to enter trances or become possessed by the spirits. The sight of the tattooed devotees acting out the traits of the animals inked on to their bodies is a fascinating experience for visitors. Those on the lookout for such intriguing experiences on their vacation can consider an online Bangkok travel guide or blogs with information on such events such as Travel Bangkok Now.

Aftermath of the Trance

The common belief states that the Sak Yant tattoos are powerful and protect those who wear them from illness and death. The devotees are advised not to consume alcohol if they wish the powers to be effective.

Every March, the Wat Bang Phra temple of Nakhom Pathom, #Thailand, becomes the scene of a powerful celebration, known as the Wat Bang Phra Tattoo Festival. While in most western countries #tattoos are viewed as an art form, in #Thailand, a country with a culture deeply rooted in #spirituality, tattoos are considered more than just skin deep artworks. The traditional Thai tattoos, known as “#SakYant”, are believed to have #magical powers, and people get them done at #temples, for protection against evil #spirits, and as good luck charms. Many members of Thai police, #army, and the underworld think some tattoos have the power to stop bullets and blades from piercing their skin. Each year, tattooed devotees come to #WatBangPhra #temple, a place famous for its tattoo #masters, to pay their respects to the art of Sak Yant, in a special ceremony known as #WaiKhru. Attended by tens of thousands of people, the event becomes quite a spectacle when the #animalspirit possessions begin. #WaiKruFestival – a time for devotees to come back and “re-charge” their #tattoo's magical attributes, and for new ones to be done. One of the many reasons Great Spirit has sent me here. #HigherVibes #HigherVibes2012

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Filled with wanderlust that seeks to explore distant shores and captivated by the colors and vibrancy of exotic cultures, Kanya Mae writes on the beautiful, exciting, and enchanting wonders of the world. She is a writer who not only has a passion for travel, but also has a background in fashion, art and media. Google+