Yi Peng Story : Exploring the Yi Peng Festival
Yi Peng Story : Discover the Origins and History of the Yi Peng Festival
The Yi Peng Festival is a traditional festival celebrated in Northern Thailand, particularly in the city of Chiang Mai. It is a time of joy and celebration, marked by the release of thousands of lanterns into the night sky. The festival is steeped in history and tradition, and has become a major tourist attraction in recent years.
The festival is also known as the “Festival of Lights” and is celebrated annually on the full moon night of the 12th lunar month. The festival is an important part of the local culture and is a time for people to come together to pay homage to the Lord Buddha.
The history of the Yi Peng Festival can be traced back to the ancient kingdom of Lanna, which was once located in what is now Northern Thailand. The festival was originally a way for people to pay homage to the Lord Buddha and to ask for blessings for the coming year. Over time, the festival has evolved to include the release of lanterns into the sky, which symbolizes the letting go of negative thoughts and wishes for a better future.
The Loy Krathong ceremony has evolved over time. In the past, the tradition involved floating lanterns as a way to pay homage to the Buddha's relics and his footprint. However, this changed when Mrs. Noppamas, also known as Phra Ruang's consort, introduced the concept of using "Lotus Krathongs" instead of floating lanterns. Her invention was well received, especially by Somdej Phra Ruang who was traveling by boat and was taken by Noppamas's creation. From then on, the Loi Krathong tradition involved using lotus krathongs as a way to pay homage to the Buddha, and this practice continues to this day.
Another important figure in the festival is Phra Mae Ganga, The Ganges is a revered water deity in Hinduism, and the Lanna lunar calendar recognizes its importance. The Loi Krathong tradition is held to express gratitude and apologize to Mae Ganga for polluting the river, serving as a reminder for people to conserve water and understand its significance. This ceremony is not the only way to show remorse to the Ganges, as it also symbolizes letting go of negative experiences and making wishes for the future. Participants write their wishes on Krathongs and set them afloat down the river, representing the release of their burdens and the manifestation of their desires. Similarly, during the Yi Peng Festival, people pray and release lanterns in honor of the Ganges, seeking blessings and guidance for the coming year.
In addition to being a time of celebration, the Sky Lantern Festival is also a time of worship. The festival is held in honor of the Ket Kaew Chulamaneed, which is the Relic of the Lord Buddha that is believed to reside in heaven. During the festival, people release sky lanterns as a symbol of their prayers and wishes for a better future.
| Years | Day 1 in Chiang Mai | Day 2 in Chiang Mai |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | November 8 | November 9 |
| 2023 | October 27 | October 28 |
| 2024 | November 15 | November 16 |
| 2025 | November 5 | November 6 |
| 2026 | November 24 | November 25 |
| 2027 | November 13 | November 14 |
| 2028 | November 1 | November 2 |
| 2029 | November 20 | November 21 |
| 2030 | November 9 | November 10 |
| 2031 | November 17 | November 18 |
| 2032 | November 16 | November 17 |
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