The Vegetarian Festival of Phuket is an annual event that commences on the 20th of October 2017 and lasts a total of eight days. What is it for? The vegetarian festival celebrates the Chinese belief that refraining from the consumption of meat and other stimulants will help the believers in obtaining peace of mind and good health. Origins It is believed that a Chinese opera group contracted malaria while touring the island. Over the next few days, they adopted a vegetarian diet and prayed to the Nine Emperor Gods. After their prayers were answered, the locals celebrated with a festival to honour the Gods. The Ceremonies Some of the ceremonies which are held to please the gods include body piercing; with large rods, knives, skewers …

The Hungry Ghost Festival, locally known as Por Tor is an event of merit-making for the Chinese community, where flowers, special food and candles are offered to their ancestors. Where to go to? If you’re staying at a Phuket luxury hotel, check how far Por Tor Kong Shrine is and the fresh market on Ranong Road is to witness the biggest celebrations for the festival. Properties such as Anantara Layan Phuket Resort are located in close proximity. Don’t miss Por Tok Kong Shrine is the main shrine that hosts the annual 7 day and 7 night’s event. The Fresh Market is decorated during the festival and hosts a range of activities begin at noon and last until midnight which include lion dances, live concerts, magic shows and cabaret …

Phuket is a holidaymaker’s paradise for many reasons. If you are planning a trip, be sure to include these must-visit attractions in your itinerary.   Vegetarian Festival   The Phuket vegetarian festival in Thailand is an event filled with colour and gaiety that is celebrated each year between 20 to 28th October. Good Health As its name suggests the festival lays emphasis on the abstinence of any kind of meat and is a totally vegetarian fair. Supposedly this festival is dedicated to the nine emperor Gods to induce good health and peace of mind. Phuket is amongst the top vacation destinations in Thailand. Origins Get to know more about this festival and local fairs and events in blogs such as The Vacation Gateway. In fact, the origins of this festival can be …

Holi festival is a Hindu event that signifies spring awakening. This is widely celebrated in India and most parts of the world. It is a joyful celebration that is guaranteed to bring loads of fun for your kids and here’s why;   It’s a carnival of colour   Holi festival is an exciting event where people collect in the streets and throw coloured powder at each other, leaving participants coated in shades of vibrant colours by the end of the day. Vibrant shades, cheerful people and playing with coloured powder are some of the elements adored by children and make the Holi celebration experience amongst the highlights on many of the best vacations with kids.   The music and dancing   The festival of colour is …

The religious observances associated with Ramadan are followed by all Muslims worldwide as a testament to their faith. Held during the ninth month on the Islamic calendar, this religious practice involves a month of fasting. The purpose behind this observance is to celebrate when the Quran was first revealed to Muhammad. Those who have heard of this religious observance would very well know of its religious significance. The period of Ramadan is usually around twenty-nine to thirty days, but this may vary based on when the crescent moon is sighted by religious officials. Those who wish to celebrate the festival of Ramadan can also do so by making a trip somewhere abroad. If you wish for a convenient and close by destination, you can always …

Rituals and customs go to the heart of the ancient culture of Sri Lanka. They have been passed down from generation to generation straddling over the 2,500 year history of the island. A majority of these customs and traditions are interspersed with the daily routines and livelihoods of people in their respective regional, social and religious spheres. Taprobana, was the name given to the island of Sri Lanka by the ancient Greeks. Some of these cultural significances and rituals are based on colonial influence and are mostly still in practice within the island and is more to do in Galle , Kandy, Colombo and Negombo and other areas that were subjected to extensive colonial rule. You may catch the architectural wonders when staying at these …