Author Archives: maggie

Tamil Thai Pongal- A Festival of Thanking

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A harvest festival that has its origins in South India, Thai Pongal is a thanksgiving festival held in honour of the Sun God Surya. Occurring every year from January 13th to the 15th, the timing of Thai Pongal is calculated according to astronomic events. The festival coincides with the movement of the Sun to Makaram or Capricorn.

During this auspicious celebration, houses are decorated with banana and mango leaves while intricate and coulourful patterns called ‘Kolams’ decorate the floor. Boiling of milk and its spilling over is a significant tradition during the Tamil Thai Pongal. It represents abundance and prosperity that will be plentiful in the household. While the milk spills over people shout ‘Pongalo Pongal’ and watching the milk spill over is thought to be good luck.

The day preceding Thai Pongal is celebrated as Maattu Pongal. Cattle are considered sacred by Hindus and their vital role as the animal used for ploughing during the early days, makes them also equally important. Decorated with sweet-smelling garlands and bright coloured powder, they are fed jaggery, fruits, honey and sugar cane.

Tamil Thai Pongal is widely celebrated in Sri Lanka and is a national holiday. Many tourists visit the island during this time to experience the celebrations first-hand as well as enjoy the sun, sand and surfs. The town of Kalutara was once a capital when the region was under the rule of a Southern Indian Prince and so has a long history of celebrating the festival of Thai Pongal.

Hotel in Kalutara are mostly adjoining the beaches or within close proximity. Beach Resorts Sri Lanka Kalutara is available in various star classes. Avani Kalutara Resort is a newly refurbished hotel that was opened in October 2012 and is run by Serendib Hotels.

Kalutara also has many interesting sites such as the Kalu Ganga River, the Kalutara Vihara, the Asokaramaya Buddhist Temple and many more. If you are making the visit, then definitely take the time to explore the scrumptious seafood cuisine of Kalutara. From succulent tiger prawns to delicious lobsters, crabs to tender fish, there’s much to taste and enjoy.

Umanga Kahandawaarachchi is a passionate travel writer who writes under the pen name, Maggie Tulliver. Her field of writing covers a wide array of content and articles related to travel and hospitality industry.

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Easter in Bangkok – The Chocoholics Paradise

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Although predominantly a Western tradition, Easter is celebrated in a big way in Bangkok as well. It is not so much the religious concept than the multitude of Easter traditions that are incorporated into this nation. And who doesn’t like the fanciful eggs and bunnies all part of the festive season? This portrayed in chocolates gives one the ultimate essence of festivities.

So what is behind the eggs and the rabbits? Unlike what many tend to believe Easter is not originally a Christian concept. It goes far back to the Pagan time when the universe resonated with a series of mysterious forces. Winter was dark and sterile but when spring began to dawn, the earth blossomed back to life and fertility prospered once again. The Goddess responsible for Spring, Dawn and Fertility is named Eostre and that explains the origin of the name and the best animal to portray fertility is of course the rabbit and that explains the symbol. The Eggs, however in addition to symbolizing fertility stretches a bit deeper as food for the Gods and goes back to ancient Greece when duck and goose eggs were colored red and offered to the Gods and Goddesses. The red was to symbolize the blood of life.

Today the rather interesting past of Easter is overthrown by the color, the fun and of the chocolates. In Bangkok the chocolates during Easter are simply to die for. Shaped as bunnies, eggs and other Easter symbols the flavor and richness of these Chocó – delicacies almost feel as if it contains the essence of heaven itself. So enjoy the stories, the treats and the fun of Easter in Bangkok a city in the east that brings to life Western traditions in richness like no other.

Bangkok is a city that is festive in so many ways. It overflows with food and goodies giving you the ultimate essence of the Thai treat and Thai shopping both of which are famed around the world. After enjoying all that this city has to offer, come home to the Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas. These luxury hotels stand out from the rest as the finest luxury hotel resorts chain that will make you crave to come back here again and again.

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Al Ain International Music Festival – Middle Eastern Musical Celebration

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Luxury is the middle name for the United Arab Emirates and luxury with Anantara spans at a whole new level. So come stay at the new Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara that gives you a truly fascinating taste of this Middle Eastern wonder. Combining the vastness of the dessert with sheer style, this is certainly one of the finest of all Abu Dhabi hotels. The Anantra has here in the city made itself one of the finest luxury hotels Abu Dhabi can now finally call its ultimate host.

Music, Dance and a 100% pure entertainment: that is what the city of Al Ain is so famously known for. Like other parts of the United Arab Emirates, the city of Al Ain portrays its rich diversity and modern nature in the many fun filled activities it has lined up. For a classical experience of music in the city, visit the Al Ain International Music Festival. This festival organized in the city of Abu Dhabi is one of the biggest crowd pullers in UAE entertainment.

The Al Ain Music Festival brings out some of the finest talents from different ends of the world. Located in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, the music festival is a massive affair that has some of the elite personnel from all over the gulf in its audience. Some of the finest talents in the art of Music are showcased here. Some notes come from regional musicians and others from big international names. This time of the year the entire nation adorns itself gearing up for this gastronomic event. For music lovers the preparation, the happening vibe of the city in addition to the performance also adds up to this treat like no other. The Al Ain music festival lasts for a total of 3 days and includes an interesting agenda that will keep you in a daze throughout the music festival. It is an annual event that usually takes place in the first quarter of the year.

 

Umanga Kahandawaarachchi is a passionate travel writer who writes under the pen name, Maggie Tulliver. Her field of writing covers a wide array of content and articles related to travel and hospitality industry.

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