Festivals are the best thing to represent the culture and tradition of the country. In Asia, you will find a new festival almost every day if we talk about Asia. These festivals are distinct from each other with their unique celebrations, and it is a reflection of their traditions. While visiting Asia or if you are living in Asia these festivals are most recommended to witness, at least one of these you should try if you have not seen yet. These are not just traditions but also full of fun. Here is the list of the top 10 festivals in Asia you dream to be there.
Lantern Festival ( Taiwan )
Date: 5 February 2023
Main City: Pingxi District
The date of this festival varies every year. Many activities are performed during the lantern festival, thousands of lanterns are lit over in the sky( how romantic the scene is), and the firecracker ceremony at Wumiao temple is also important. These lanterns are decorated with the image of the owner and so many wishes, and it is the sign to let others know that the town is safe and sound. The firecracker ceremony of this festival is actually a tribute to Guan Yu.
Loi Krathong ( Thailand )
Date: 8 November 2022
Main City: Sukhothai Historical Park
The celebrations of this festival are associated with the full moon of the 12th month, and it is celebrated annually. The meaning of this name is” to float ritual vessel or lamp”, and in this festival, thousands of decorated baskets are floated on the river. Thais use this festival to thank their Goddes of water or to worship Buddha’s hair pagoda in heaven. The origin back can be seen in both India and China. In different countries, this festival is celebrated with different names.
Holi (India)
Date: 8 March 2023
Main Location: Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh
Holi is popular with different names like a festival of Spring, a festival of colors, or a festival of love all over the world. Colors are thrown at each other, and water balloons and guns are also used. Everyone takes part whether you are young or old, rich or poor, man or woman. This festival has also become popular outside India in recent years. The theme is that it signifies the good over the devil, which is mainly the victory of their Lord Vishnu over Hiranyakashipu.
Kandy Esala Perahera ( Sri Lanka )
Date: 13-23 August 2023
Main City: Sri Dalada Maligawa
This is usually held in July or August annually, also known as the Festival of the Tooth. It consists of the local dances, a unique symbol of Srilanka, fire dances, and performances in whip-dance garments are most famous. It ends with the water-cutting ceremony ( Diya-kepeema ritual). This is held to pay homage to the sacred Tooth relic of Buddha.
Chaul Chnam ( Cambodia )
Date: 13/14 April 2023
Main City: Whole country
It is the traditional celebration of the solar year, which is the end of the harvesting season. It consists of 3 days when farmers enjoy the fruits of their labor before entering the rainy season. This solar new year is also celebrated in different countries like India, Nepal, Laos, and more counties. On the first-day people dress and light up candles to offer thanks to Budda’s teachings, and on the second-day people do charity to help the poor, servants, and needy people. On the last day of this festival, Buddhists wash the statue of Budda with perfumed water.
Awa Odori ( Japan)
Date: 12-15 August 2023
Main City: Tokushima
It is the Awa dance festival attracting over 1.3 million tourists every year( you can imagine its popularity). The Awa is the old name for Tokushima Prefecture and Odori means “dance”. Groups of dancers and musicians dance in the streets wearing traditional Obon dance costumes. Men and women dance in different styles, and the song is usually sung at the point where dancers can stop and perform a stationary dance. It has become the main tourist attraction of the country.
Eid-ul-Adha ( Pakistan, India, Maldives…)
Date: 28 June 2023
Main City: All Country
This is the religious festival in which Muslims in which they sacrifice animals( according to their affordability ) in the honor of Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to Allah’s command. The third part of the meeting is for the owner, and the rest of the two parts are distributed among the relatives/friends and the poor/needy. Sweets and gifts are given to spread love. Ramadan and Eid ul Fitr is also worth attending.
Happy New Year ( China )
Date: 22 January 2023
Main city: Beijing, Hong Kong
This is the beginning of the new year on the traditional lunisolar and solar Chinese calendar, referred to as Spring Festival in East Asian cultures. Even overseas Chinese all across the world celebrate this as it is an important holiday in Chinese culture. The first day starts with the new moon. Chinese new years have several myths and customs. Families clean their houses before the start of a new year, to sweep away all the bad luck of the previous year and make way for incoming good luck, also they gather for the annual family reunion. Some other traditions are also popular and performed.
Boryeong Mud Festival ( South Korea )
Date: Mid-July
Main City: Daecheon Beach
Daecheon is a city located on the bank of the Yellow Sea, mainly known for its beach where this festival happens every year. This mud festival grabs the attention of 2.2 million visitors every year. You can see a large stage on the beach with live music, competitions, and many other attractions. It consists of two weeks but the last weekend is the most popular in South Korea. The mud is trucked from Boreyong mud flats and is considered a rich mineral to use in cosmetics manufacturing.
Nowruz ( Iran )
Date: 21 March( date may vary )
Main City: Mazar-i-Sharif
It is the Iranian new year also known as the Persian new year, which is according to the Solar Hijri calendar ( used in Iran and Afghanistan ). It has been celebrated by different communities in different parts of Asia, the Balkans, and the Caucasus. It is celebrated by people with different faiths. It started at the beginning of spring when Sun crosses the celestial equator, and families gather to see the rituals.
If you have ever been a part of any of the above-given festivals, then share your experience or anything I’m missing. If you have not attended yet, give it a try and you would love it. Share with your friends and leave a positive comment to appreciation me.
Thanks!