Loi Krathong

We arrived in Chiang Mai, just in time for a huge festival...the Loi Krathong! It is a celebration that is held on the full moon of the 12th month in the Thai lunar calendar (in the western calendar this usually falls sometime in November). Thousands of people come to Chiang Mai every year to buy or make floating lanterns-made of banana leaves and flowers- to float down the river to honor and thank the Goddess of Water (Phra Mae Khongkha). The symbolism of releasing the lantern is to rid yourself of resentment and anger and begin fresh with a clean soul. All week from November 11th to the 14th, the city was an amazing scene of different colors, smells, and amazing sights. For three days there were parades, Thai dancing, and millions of lanterns being sent off to make their journey down the river. However, Molly and I got to experience something more amazing and truly beyond words, that I will try to bring to life in this blog.

Our Thai language instructor informed us of a ceremony that is held every year at a Meditation Centre 30 minutes outside of Chiang Mai in honor of the Buddha. Instead of sending lanterns down the river, they send Thai balloon lanterns up in the evening sky called Khom Loys. Not just one or two hundred, but THOUSANDS all at the same time!!!

When we arrived to our destination, we had to walk down a road about 300 yards to the grounds of the ceremony. On our way, people were dancing and singing, food vendors were selling fantastic traditional Thai cuisine and hundreds of people were selling Khom Loys. As we arrived to the Meditation Center, the vibe was electrifying. Thousands of people were sitting in a huge field facing a giant Buddha. There was one single path, about 150 yards, that led directly to the Buddha. Many monks were seated around him, facing the crowd of people. At that moment Molly and I decided to buy a balloon and participate in the festival as much as we could. As we bought our Khom Loy, some young Thai students decided they wanted to take us "under their wing." They helped us find a great spot in the field of people to set up our balloon, plus they kept us up to speed on everything that was happening.

First, a parade went from the entrance half-way down to the Buddha and then back again. Second, the head monk said a long pray (45 minutes) and many of the Thai people sat with their hands together and their heads bowed in reverence. Thirdly, the helpers came around and lit the tall candles that each person had in front of them and we said a prayer in front of the flame, before we lit our Khom Loys. Fourthly, we lit our Khom Loys and let them fill with hot air... the announcer counted down and we made a wish before sending it up into the evening sky! What an amazing sight 5000 thousand balloon lanterns being released into the night sky all at once. At that moment (just like in Angkor Wat) I wanted everyone I loved with me, especially my husband....he would have loved it and with his artistic eye he would have gotten amazing photos!

Everyone was laughing and singing, fireworks were exploding in the sky, but the true joy was looking up and seeing so many lanterns float away into the night air. Molly and I were giggling like school girls because we were so excited about what we were seeing and experiencing....what a rush!

Some of the Khom Loys, would fall down or land into tress, but surprisingly no one was injured and nothing caught on fire. I told Molly that the US Fire Department would NEVER let this happen..what a fire hazard:) A moment that will forever be cherished and hopefully, someday I will be able to come back and share it will my husband!