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 …

The month of Ramadan is significant for Muslims around the world, and it is celebrated with fervour in the United Arab Emirates. In Dubai, perhaps the most open and cosmopolitan of the Emirates, Ramadan is one of the most important times of the year, and a special occasion for the Muslim faithful. Well-informed travellers intending to visit the Emirate during this time and who desire a comfortable Palm Jumeirah hotel will find an appealing choice in Dubai the Palm Resort & Spa. This attractive resort offers excellent accommodations and attentive hospitality. According to Islamic tradition Ramadan is considered to be one component of the five central pillars of the religion. At this time of the year Muslims are encouraged to focus on their spiritual life and …

With the conclusion of the Thirty Years War in 1648, the European powers came together to sign the Treaty of Westphalia that established political boundaries in Europe. With the establishment of such boundaries, many countries, especially the Portuguese, the Dutch, the French and the English, sought to extend their land and assert power over other entities as well. With the great era of exploration in the period that followed the Thirty Years War, troops from various European countries landed in modern day Asia, Africa and Australia in search of bountiful land that could be annexed to their own. The centuries that followed saw the colonial powers propagating their social and legal systems to their respective colonies and laying the groundwork for a truly global world …

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, …

for tourists visiting the Golden Triangle in Thailand, the tourism industry of the state has intelligently woven an idea of cultural heritage and natural beauty within the triangle. Nestled comfortably towards the northern most part of Thailand lies the city of Chiang Rai, a beloved destination of tourists with a vociferous appetite for the mystical cultures of the East, a mere fifty or so kilometres from the tripoint of the Golden Triangle which connects Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. Chiang Rai celebrates a multitude of cultural and religious festivals, and is ideal for the culture vulture in you. For those visiting at the beginning of the year, the King Meng Rai Festival gives travellers an insight into the national pride of the locals while the Flower …

The much anticipated Vishu Festival is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm in all sections of Kerala, an Indian state located in the southern region of the country. All over Kerala, people of all ages involve themselves in the festivities of this distinctive and elaborate festival. As the occasion is considered to feature light and sound, Keralites illuminate their homes with decorative lights and enthusiastically light bunches of firecrackers. Many interesting festivities and rituals are associated with this event. The central ritual of the festival is the time-honoured Vishukkani, which is a special arrangement of a number of auspicious items considered to symbolize prosperity. These include vegetables and fruits, rice, arecanut, leaves of betel, yellow konna flowers, a metal mirror, coins and sacred texts, which …