Tourists visiting Abu Dhabi in the middle of the year have some important events and festivals to look forward to. The emirate being a great cultural hot spot there is much to see, do and experience. It is a great cultural land mark where visits can be exposed to the Middle East in its entire splendour. One of the key events in the region’s calendar is the Accession Day. Similar to the British accession day, it is a holiday of great festivity and merriment celebrating the accession of the monarch to the throne. It is a celebration that marks the dawn of a new era under the new ruler and a festival of hope for the new future. The event marks the historically significant happening …

The town of Kataragama in Sri Lanka is famed as a popular pilgrimage destination for many devotees from all parts of the country and even overseas, attracting Hindus, Buddhists and even the indigenous Veddah community. Hindu and Buddhist veneration of Kataragama has been practiced for centuries, with followers of these two religions holding slightly different beliefs regarding the site. Tamil Hindus identify the presiding deity of the locality as Lord Katirkaman, who is identified as Skanda-Murugan, also known as Subramanya. Buddhists, on the other hand, consider the local divinity to be Kataragama Deviyo, a protective deity of Buddhists and their religion. In fact the town is revered as one of the sixteen most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the island. However there is no doubt …

In all the many Chinese Festivals that fill up the calendar perhaps nothing tops the spook chart than the Hungry Ghosts Festival. The name itself is a crowd puller and whoever makes the audience is fascinated by the range of events lined up from the beginning to the end. The story behind the festival is just as interesting as the festival itself. The Chinese believe that every year at around the time of the festival, the gates of Hell are opened and the spirits from here are set free to roam the earth. As tribute to these souls of the dead, this festival is commemorated and several Chinese people gather on this day to remember and pray for the deceased members of their family. In …

Honk Kong in itself is a city of festivities. It is a nation where tradition merges with a modern touch giving you an outcome of pure wonder. In the middle of every autumn season, Hong Kong becomes more so alive in the vibrant and exotic Mid Autumn Festival. It is actually an ancient Chinese harvest festival but in Honk Kong it is given unique and a modern treatment. Fiery dragons dance through the neon lit streets that are adorned by the glowing lanterns on this festive season. As the moon shines in its fullest form, Honk Kong comes alive in a complete spectacle. The Mid Autumn Festival falls every year on the 15th day of the 8th month in the Chinese Lunar Calendar. Its grandeur …

The month of Ramadan is the ninth in the Islamic calendar and is considered holy by all Muslims. Devotees observe a month-long fast where they forego food and water from sunrise to sunset. The end of Ramadan is marked by a large celebration. Ramadan (which is called ‘Roadha Mas’ by the locals) in Maldives is a grand occasion. After all, the Maldives is a Muslim nation, and the festivities take place throughout the month and not just at the end. Although meant to be a time of spirituality and introspection, there is also a streak of merriment. Inveterate shoppers especially enjoy the season as many shops run sales and offer discounts during the period, tempting locals and tourists alike to make a few purchases. Restaurants …

Kataragama is a town located in the south of the island nation of Sri Lanka that is a noteworthy pilgrimage destination for Hindus, Buddhists and the indigenous Veddah people alike. Even devotees from southern India come to this venerated site to pay their respects at the sacred shrines gracing the locale. The site of veneration is the Kataragama temple, known in the Sinhalese language as the Kataragama devalaya; it stands in honour of God Skanda-Murugan or Kataragamadeviyo as the locals call the deity. Tamil followers of the Hindu faith, both in Sri Lanka and southern India, call the location Katirkamam. The deity is variously known as Skanda-Murugan, Katiradeva, Subramanya, Kandasamy, Tarakajith and other names by the Hindu community. The god is depicted as having twelve …