The event is scheduled to be held between May and July at the South Bank Centre and gathers many celebrated authors, poets and critics and speakers who are well versed in this wonderful art of creative expression and fans can look forward to an excellent combination of events from book readings to speeches to exhibitions that spans throughout a week. The series of five lectures by the celebrated author Claire Tomalin is going to provide much interest to the lovers of old classics as the lectures are going to be based on the works of Thomas Hardy and Jane Austen. Fans of the bestselling authors Barbara Kingsolver, Lioner Shriver, James Salter would need to do much to contain their excitement as their idols are going …

Marking the traditional beginning of the rice growing season, the Royal Ploughing Ceremony also known as Lehtun Mingala or the Mingala Ledaw is a grand affair indeed. Accommodation Bangkok would not be much of a hassle during this season as Somerset Sukhumvit Thonglor Bangkok conveniently located amidst all the acitivity harbours some of the most sought after Sukhumvit apartments located within the city. The festival is celebrated in both Cambia and Thailand and traditionally takes place at the beginning of the Buddhist lent in the Burmese month of Waso which usually falls on the 11th of May. On the day of t6he ceremony, two sacred oxen are tied to a wooden plough after which they are made to plough on a ceremonial ground. After the ploughing, rice seeds are …

Say sawatdi pi mai! at the Songkran Festival at Thailand this year! The Songkran Festival, also known as the Thai traditional New Year is celebrated between the 13 to 16 April every year. Beach Hotels Hua Hin Thailand are quite abuzz during these days, actively participating in all the festivities. Anantara Hua Hin Thailand Resort is one of the Hua Hin hotels that are known to delve into the very depth of the festival and celebrate the Songkran in style. The most remarkable feature of this festival is perhaps the good natured water throwing that takes place in the streets during this period so be prepared to be drenched to the bone if planning to take part in the New Year. Buddha statues are paraded through the cities on …

Le Royal Monceau Paris is one of the most elegant 5 Star Hotel Paris. The modern facilities combined with the touch of the Parisian culture makes this hotel stand out from the other Luxury Hotel Paris. Paris is a hub for many interesting things. The wide number of museums scattered around the city provides an educational value as well as entertainment. Most of these museums cost a fortune, but there is a special day in Paris where visitors get the opportunity to enter these amazing museums for free. Known as the Printemps des Musees (Museum Day), this is held on a Sunday in spring. This event was initiated by the Ministry of Culture and Communication French in 1999. Take advantage of this amazing offer and …

Vesak is celebrated by Buddhist all around the world. The festival falls on the full moon day of May each year. This is celebrated to commemorate some of the important events in the life of Lord Buddha, the teacher of Buddhism. These events namely are the birth of Prince Siddhartha, the enlightenment of Lord Buddha and the passing away of Lord Buddha which occurred over 2500 years. Countries like Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia celebrates this festival in a very high calibre. People in Sri Lanka get ready for this event months ahead. On the day of Vesak temples are full of people who are observing sill. Most of the roads are covered with Buddhist flags which sway in the wind creating a …

Travellers to Thailand should always make it a point to explore its rich religious heritage. Being based at Bangkok serviced apartments ensures maximum convenience in doing so and Sathorn apartments at Ascott Sathorn Bangkok make for an ideal option. A holiday celebrating Gautama Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing, Visakha Bucha, more commonly known as Vesak is celebrated in most of the Asian countries including Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and India. The date of Visakha Bucha varies from year to year. Usually it falls on either May or April and sometimes even June. Celebrated on a full moon day, it is the most important day for Buddhists.

The Vesak Festival is an important occasion for Sri Lankan Buddhists, who join other Buddhists around the world in celebrating this event which falls on the day of the full moon in the month of May. For the Buddhist faithful this religious event has become a cultural occasion as well, with many interesting customs and traditions being associated with it. Vesak Day has a threefold significance for Buddhists. According to Buddhist scriptures the birth of the Buddha occurred on such a full moon night in May, when Queen Mahamaya gave birth to the future Buddha. The second momentous event which took place on this day is the Enlightenment of the Buddha who thereby became omniscient and the Supreme Being, all-knowing and free of all defilements. …

Jalan Jaksa in central Jakarta is a historic street that housed students of the Jakarta Law Academy during Dutch times. In the late 1960s the street developed in quite another direction when it became famous among international backpackers and the first budget hotel in the country was established there. With the addition of several more hostels and cheap hotels it became the central point from which backpackers took off to other destinations in the country. In the mid 1990s a street festival was started to popularize the area further and to celebrate the culture of the Betawi people who are indigenous residents of Jakarta. The 400 meter road now has 27 budget hotels and hostels and hundreds of rooms rented by local residents, restaurants, money …

A tradition that has come forward 20 centuries as a religious ceremony and folk custom the Dragon Boat festival known as Duanwu is now a world renowned festival and is fast emerging an international sport. A dragon boat is a watercraft that is human powered and is built out of teak wood in differing shapes and sizes. For the purpose of the festival these boats are decorated with ornate heads and tails of Chinese dragons. The festival is held in June and includes a number of customary activities. The Chinese have dumplings, rice and drink Realgar wine to celebrate before the race. Celebrated in Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia this festival, marks the dawn of summer in the region and according to Chinese tradition is the …

Anantara Dhigu Maldives a Maldives Resort offers spacious luxury accommodation facilities to all guests. Accommodation in Maldives would be brilliant with more classy places like Anantara Dhigu Maldives. Maldives is a 100% Muslim country. So all Islamic festivals are celebrated in a higher key in these islands. One of the richly celebrated festivals is the Kuda Eid Festival. Also known as Fithru Eid this festival marks the end of Ramadan which takes place throughout one whole month. The Kuda Eid Festival lasts for three days at a stretch. On the first day people o to the mosque early in the morning and seek for blessings. Later on hearty feasts are conducted with the gatherings of relatives and friends. Special offerings are done to the poor …