The festival Eid-Ul Fitr also known as Hari Raya Aidilfitri in Malaysian is the Muslim celebration that takes place on the 10th month according to the Muslim calendar (Syawal). The festivities are to signify the end of a month of fasting, which is known as the Ramadan period. The Ramadan month This is the holiest of months for the Muslim devotees in Malaysia which amounts to about 60% of the population. During this month is compulsory that every person old enough to do so must abstain from eating, drinking or smoking during the day. This is done so that one may gain spiritual strength and develop good qualities such as patience and humility. Religious observances In the month of Ramadan, devotees give more priority to …

Kataragama is a venerated religious site which is frequented by many Sri Lankans of all ethnicities. It also happens to be one of the 16 places on the island visited by the Lord Buddha. History The Kataragama deity is believed to have lived in the jungles near the Menik River with his two wives. King Dutugamunu is said to have visited the deity to fulfil a vow he made to him after defeating his rival. He was told to build a shrine on the location where a golden arrow shot by the Kataragama deity landed, hence, the location of the temple as seen today. The Festival The Kataragama festival commences 10 days prior to the full moon which falls on July and ends with a …

The end of the Ramadan months signals the beginning of a festival called Hai Raya Puasa in Malaysia. With most of the population in the country being Muslims, the festivities are celebrated in on a grand scale. Here are some facts about Hari Raya Puasa. Before the feast Ramadan is said to be the 9th month on the Islamic colander is also one of the holiest months for Muslims. During this period, the devotees avoid eating, drinking and smoking during the day. This act of fasting and abstinence is for one to learn good virtues like patience, humility and spirituality while surrendering oneself to Allah. The period of fasting begins at dawn and ends at 4 pm. Prayer time During this one month of fasting, …

There is a host of festivals and events that are popularly celebrated by the residents of Bangkok. Given below are some of the most fervently celebrated occasions in this city Chinese New Year This joyously celebrated festival is particularly important to residents of Chinese descent. Bangkok’s Chinatown, the locality of Yaowaraj comes vibrantly alive with dragon dances, innumerable firecrackers and a joyous festive ambience. Loy Krathong This unique and distinctive festival is an occasion that is important to Thais. This significant event usually falls in November on a full moon night, when innumerable Thais make their way to rivers, canals and lakes in order to release pretty little rafts created in the shape of a lotus flower. Visitors can stay in Bangkok luxury hotels the likes of Anantara …

An event of profound religious and spiritual significance, the Wai Kru Festival or the Sak Yant Festival claims to bring physical and spiritual protection by way of the many exotic Sak Yant tattoos. What is the Wai Kru Festival? An intense experience and one of the famous festivals in Bangkok, the Wai Kru Festival is also known as the Sak Yant Festival. The Wai Kru Festival is not to be confused with the traditional phrase “Wai Kru” that is part of a ritual where students pay gratitude to their teachers. Tattooing the Devotees Over 10,000 Buddhist devotees gather at the Wat Bang Phra (temple) in Thailand for the Wai Kru Festival. The tattooists or the monks at the temple draw protective tattoos on the devotees with …

Amongst the many landmarks often visited by locals and tourists alike, the famous shopping precinct, Arcade Independence Square has a history that is quite intriguing. A Building with an interesting history The Arcade Independence Square is housed in the former Jawatte Lunatic Asylum along with several other buildings renovated as a part of the Independence Square Redevelopment Programme undertaken by the government at the time. As the years went by… The Jawatta Lunatic Asylum was built under the guidance of the then British Governor, Sir William Gregory in order to replace the existing asylum in Borella. The building consisted of two wings accommodating around 400 patients. Later the occupancy of the building was taken over by several government institutions including the Sri Lankan Broadcasting Corporation …