According to Chinese mythology, the seventh lunar month is ghostly in nature, with spectres roaming about the earth and spirits making their presences felt by the living. The origins of the tradition are not well known or publicised, and although the customs that are put into action seem to heavily relate to Chinese folk discipline, the commemoration seems to be practiced by Taoists and Buddhists. Unlike other times of the year when descendants pay homage to their ancestors, during the period of the Ghost Month, the deceased are supposed to visit their kith and kin that are still alive. It is customary for Buddhists to offer merit to their forefathers by way of performing good deeds and other meritorious actions. However, the Ghost Month calls …

The Hong Kong International Tea Fair will attract the attention of anyone in the business of buying or selling tea. This much-loved beverage is popular around the world and there is a naturally a ready market for tea in many countries around the world. Hong Kong may be described as the focus of the tea-trading sphere. It is relatively close to the major tea-producing regions on the globe, and it possesses the modern infrastructure vital for a modern trade conference. Additionally, Hong Kong is a foremost consumer of tea, although it does not actually produce the hearty herb. The fair is the centrepiece of the city’s tea-trading activities, uniting major players in the industry from across the globe, creating a valuable forum for both buyers …

Bali is probably the most well-known of Indonesia’s many islands. Home to some of the most amazing beaches in the world, it is the preferred holiday destination of many globetrotters. The island is not merely a beach destination and offers tourists a variety of things to do. This includes numerous festivals and celebrations. The Nusa Dua Festival is one popular event that takes place in Nusa Dua in South Bali. The Nusa Dua Festival is a Bali staple, being held every year since 1997. The festival was started to make Bali a more attractive tourist destination and it has now become equally popular among the locals as well as the foreigners. The festival is based on a theme which changes from year to year, although …

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 …