Introducing the Levi Kratong Festival of Light and Water in Thailand

As the air darkens, the lanterns float on the water and create a romantic image! The Levi Kratong Festival is one of the ancient Thailand festivals that shows a manifestation of its splendor and culture. During the festival, which attracts thousands of people every year, the lanterns floated on the water and send the days to the sky in the hope of fulfilling the sky. Join us to learn more about the mysterious story of the Levi Kratong celebration to the end.

What is the Levi Kratong Festival?

At this festival, by abandoning the lanterns on the water they wish to pray. Thailand people use banana leaves, fruits or flowers to make blue lanters. In addition, the Thai believes that these lanterns can eliminate misfortune.

In the past, the Levi Kratong Festival was used to thank the gods of water and rivers for their natural gifts. The festival in Thailand is currently also known as “Valentine’s Day”. Young men and women have sent water lanterns to the river to pray for a good relationship. The couples put the lanterns by the river to pray for their long love and joy. The festival is very important for the Thai. It doesn’t matter which city you are, wherever there is water, the lanterns float on its surface and blink like a star.

The date of the Levi Kratong Festival in Year 2 and 2

In year 2, the festival will be held on November 6. The Blue Lantern Festival, along with the Sungkaran Water Festival, are important festivals in Thailand. The celebration is held every year on the full month of the twelfth month of the Thai calendar, usually on the calendar of November. At this time, just after the rainy season, the river water is sufficient and suitable for floating the lanterns. The festival is held throughout Thailand, but the two cities of Bangkok and Chiang Mai are the most famous places to participate in the Levi Kratong Festival. Keep in mind, however, that the timing of the holding is different from one place to another. For example, Loy Krathong was held in Chiang Mai on November 7, and Bangkok hosts the Blue Lantern Festival on November 7. You can also attend this dream and romantic event by booking a Thailand tour.

Read more: What is the Songkran celebration?

History Levi Kratong Festival

There are no identical sources and 100 % confirmed by Levi Kratung’s legend. But the festival, whether folklore or history, is now important to the Thai people. The most common myths about the history of the Levi Kratong Festival are the two:

Patient Princess Prayer for Buddha Health

Centuries ago, a princess met with Buddha Shakiamoon under the tree while she was ill. The Buddha told him that if he wants to eliminate the disease, he had to put his nails and hair slices on the night of December in the Buddhist calendar, in a lotus -shaped light and then light a candle and put it in the river. After that, this method became popular among the people and gradually became the Blue Lantern Festival today.

Starting the celebration by Princess Nofamas

Another story is that during the Sokotai dynasty, the first dynasty in Thailand, the inhabitants in the capital gathered to celebrate the “Lantern Celebration” on the 15th day of the 12th Thai calendar. One of the novasmas princesss cleverly folded banana leaves in a lotus lantern boat, lit it with other ornaments and fumped wood and put it in the water to float it in the wind. He did this to thank the Buddha and the god of the river. The king was happy to see this and ordered this blue lantern to be used for this purpose to determine the 15th day of the twelfth month of the Thai calendar as a Blue Lantern Festival each year.

Read more: About Chiang Mai Thailand Know this city from our language

Where is the Blue Lantern celebration?

In fact, the Levi Kratong Festival or the Blue Lighthouse Celebration is held in many parts of Thailand. But if you want to feel the true spirit of this festival, we recommend the following three places:

• Sukhota; Design of water lantern

Sukhotai is one of the places where the Blue Lantern Festival is held in the most magnificent and vibrant form. As the main capital of the Sukota dynasty, the city has a rich cultural background and provides an ancient atmosphere for the festival.

One of the prominent activities in Sukota is the design of the water lamp. You can make your blue lantern here. Different flowers in the lanterns have different meanings. For example, jasmine symbolizes family love and empathy and horn melon represents chance and victory. After designing, you can gather with locals in an ancient temple to float the blue lanterns in the hope of the blessings of the gods and express good wishes.

In addition, the parade of chariots is also held on the day of the festival. In this parade, the participants wear distinct clothing, each reminiscent of past kingdoms.

• Bangkok; Riot

In Bangkok, the Levi Kratong Festival is a vibrant event with many activities you can attend. Every year, the Bangkok municipality holds a magnificent festival near Royal Field in collaboration with private schools. The event is held around the clock and runs on singing competitions, Thai classic drama and other exciting things.

On the night of the festival, blue lanterns are lit, regardless of a specific location, in city canals or even in halls with blue jets and other large and small pools. So if you prefer a more secluded place to see this festival, you can go from Aisaqutie, the largest dock in Asia, a fare boat and go to the Chao Faria River and watch romantic fireworks in the air and lantern and colorful boats in the river. .

• Levi Kratong Chiang Mai Festival; With floating lanterns in the sky

Undoubtedly, the largest blue lantern festival will be held in Chiang Mai. In addition to placing blue lanterns in the water, you can also see the views of thousands of people who leave the lanterns in the sky.

You can go to the Tha Phae, Maejo University and Huay Tuen Tao Gate to attend the event. With the sunset and the darkness of the air, the countdown begins, and the lanterns are released to the sky at the same time as the good prayer. These celestial lanterns are like stars in the dark that contradict the blue lantern in the water and create a romantic scene.

In addition, you can watch the participation and dance at the three kings’ memorials. Or go to the Navarat Bridge, the best point you can leave the heavenly lanterns and spend a magic and romantic night.

Thai Blue Lantern Festival Tips

• The use of sunscreen

The Levi Kratong Festival is held in the warm month, so it is important to protect yourself from sunlight.

• How to put blue lanters

Before turning on the lights, you can write your name and date of birth, then turn on the candle, put it in the water to maintain balance and then put your hands together and start praying. In addition, do not accidentally touch the lantern of others and observe the sequence of the venue.

• Take care of your valuable items

There are a large crowd when leaving the lanterns at night, so it’s best to take care of your precious objects. It is best to put your passport in the small bag of Bandar.

Final speech

The Blue Lantern Festival or the Levi Kratong Festival depicts a rich and rich culture of Thai seal. We saw that during the festival, blue lanterns in the river float and blink in the sky like stars. To touch and experience these beautiful images, you can attend a festival in one of the cities of Bangkok or Chiang Mai.