For the past few years, I have lived many extraordinary moments that would be engraved in my mind forever. Last weekend, I experienced one of these moments here in Chiang Mai during the long awaited Loy Krathong/Yi Peng holiday.
Loy Krathong takes place on the night of the full moon of the 12th month in the Thai lunar calendar and is celebrated all over Thailand. Loy means to float and Krathongs are small rafts made of bread and banana leaves that Thais offer the the river spirits.
Loy Krathong also coincides with the Northern Thailand Lanna festival called Yi Peng. It is during this festival that thousands of flying lanterns are released in the sky.
I have tried to document the event as much as I can, and I hope this Photo Essay will help you experience the beauty of this festival for just a bit.
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In every corner, decorations and lanterns are installed illuminating the city with bright beautiful colors. These lanterns are displayed in front of the 3 Kings monument and attract many tourists and locals at night.
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Many different types of lanterns are found everywhere in gardens, shops and temples. From intricately shaped paper lanterns (khom fai), hanging lanterns (khom khwaen), small lanterns carried on a stick (khom thue) and of course the flying lanterns (khom loi).
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Elaborately decorated krathongs are seen everywhere in town. They are often made of bread (or styrofoam although rare as they are polluting) and folded banana leaves. Candles, flowers, incense and coins are often added as an offering to the river spirits.
At night, Thais will float their krathongs on the river (or pond) to pay respect to Buddha and the river spirits. Some will also add fingernails and hair as a symbol of letting go of the bad parts of one’s life.
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The most impressive Yi Peng celebration is the huge lantern release near the Mae Jo University a few kilometers North of Chiang Mai. Thousands of people gather that day to celebrate and release khom loi lanterns together.
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The ceremony starts with blessings, chants and prayers from Buddhist monks as well as a guided meditation in both Thai and English. The ceremony lasts a few hours until dark.
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Thousands of people coming from all parts of Thailand gather around the temple in Mae Jo to experience this beautiful event. Everyone carries at least one or two lanterns to light at night.
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When the moment comes, the crowd unfolds their lanterns and starts lighting up the fuel cell attached to fill the khom loi with hot air. Excitement is felt everywhere, from families preparing to launch the lanterns …
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… to friends all holding their khom loi and making a wish together.
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After a short prayer and a blessing from the monks, the crowd release the lanterns at the same time. It was one of the most beautiful moments I have lived. The sky quickly fills with thousands of khom loi lighting up all the place. No words can describe the feeling experienced.
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The lanterns flying high appearing like a shiny Milky Way across the night sky.
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Soon after the first release, a second round is announced and people light up their remaining lanterns.
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As the second round of lanterns are released, a display of fireworks light up the sky while Loy Krathong themed music is played.
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Some more impressive fireworks are launched before a final prayer and the end of the festival.
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The Loy Krathong and Yi Peng festival still continues on for 2 days all around Thailand. In the city of Chiang Mai, giant pagoda parades, beauty contests and fireworks are displayed until late at night. Here fireworks are launched from the streets in front of Doi Suthep mountain.
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You can also watch a short video of the second release in Mae Jo.
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UPDATE:
This shot was taken in 2011 at the same place in Mae Jo. The event is so incredible that I decided to assist every year whenever I’m around. Hope you enjoyed the photos!
Really beautiful photos! I just got a twinge of jealousy- wish I could have seen this :)
Thanks Laura! You should plan to see it next year then ;)
Very charming, the candid shots give the sense of a family-event, with everybody helping to send off the lantern… And the pictures with both lanterns and fireworks in the sky are beautiful and special, at least I’ve never seen anything like it. Thanks for sharing! :)
Thank you Rakel! Glad you enjoyed it.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Annie Tobey, callme, Richard Barrow, Pamela MacNaughtan, Daniel Nahabedian and others. Daniel Nahabedian said: New Photo Essay: The Loy Krathong/Yi Peng festival in Chiang Mai. Enjoy! http://bit.ly/eahigV #photography #travel #matadorN #lp [...]
Very nice Dan.
It’s on my list now, wich is still groing and groing.
Warm peruvian Hug
Thanks a lot Eva! You should be seeing it :)
Big hugs too!
Really impressed with the photography. What do you shoot with?
Thank you!
I use a Canon 50D and a 18-250mm lens most of the time.
stunning images Dan. love it!
GotPassport recently posted..Travel Tech Video Blog 0002- Thai SIM Card “Promotions”
Thanks!
Fantastic – you got such beautiful photos! What an incredible night that was!!!
Bessie recently posted..Photo Journal- Yi Peng Lantern Festival in Mae Jo
Yes it was, see it was worth postponing the departure, right? ;)
Wow, excellent photos and write up!
Christine Gilbert recently posted..If You Were Here- You’d Know
Thank you Christine :) Awesome video you made yourself!
Wow! I’ve got some heavy Thailand envy right now. I just love the photos of the sky full of lanterns.
Anne recently posted..Notes on the First 24 Hours After the Attack
Thanks Anne!
You should definitely come visit. I mean.. what’s not to like in Thailand? Everything seems amazing here!
Awesome photos Dan!
The few lanterns I saw on Friday were great – really wish I’d been able to stay the extra couple of days and experience this with you guys! Next year I guess…
Dave recently posted..Learning to cook in Chiang Mai
[...] for a fantastic and enchanting look at the Loy Krathong festival of lights in Mae Jo, Thailand, brought to you by my good friend Dan of Canvas of Light, click here; [...]
[...] Photo Essay by Daniel [...]
Incredible photos, I left Thailand for Egypt about a week before Loy Krathong…disappointed to miss out! Amazing captures!
Migrationology recently posted..Casinos- Fortresses and Egg Tarts- 12 Hours in Macau
Thanks a lot Mark!
Yeah too bad you missed it but I’m sure you had a good time in Egypt too! Next year.. ;)
Fantastic photos. I can hardly wait to experience this festival in person.
Thank you Nancie! You should, it’s fantastic the moment all lanterns are released.
[...] that Loy Krathong and Yi Peng celebrations are over, life is returning to normal here in Chiang Mai (check out the photo [...]
Looking great Dan! Great series of pics and story. Maybe next year for me :)
Dustin Main | Skinny Backpacker recently posted..One Year
Thanks Dustin!
Is it in Oct or Nov? Gotta start planning ya know…
Dustin Main – Skinny Backpacker recently posted..Photo Essay- Unreal Antarctica
Loy Krathong is in mid-November. You better be here this year!
Love this photo essay Dan, so beautiful!
Thanks a lot Adri! It was a fantastic celebration :)
Thank you for sharing. I saw something similar in a Chinese movie about the four main Chinese empires. I thought it was something from the past and not practiced anymore. To be able to experience this in Thailand must have been truely awesome. Just looking at your photos is awesome. Knowing that they still do this, I will time my Thailand trip to conincide with this…
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Thanks Kerry-Ann!
Oh yes, it was like out of a fairytale or an old movie. Fantastic and it brought tears to our eyes.
[...] For a taste of what it really looked like, check out the photo blog below for some way cooler pics (Photo Essay of Loi Kratong and Yi Peng)! WP_SLIDESHOW_IMAGES = { load: [...]
WOW. Thanks for sharing these beautiful photos! Seriously amazing!
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Thank you very much!
These photos are beyond beautiful, the are moving and astounding!
joshywashington recently posted..Silly Kids in Saigon
Thank you very much Josh! It was a fantastic and moving moment. Most of my friends were in tears :)
wow wow wow amazing!
Thank you :)
[...] Chiang Mai is a beautiful city in northern Thailand, often overlooked because it is not a beach town. Nothing we can say about it, however, will be better than this blog post on the Loy Krathong Festival. [...]
Brilliant, Brilliant photos and essay.
Rob recently posted..2011 Holiday Inspiration
[...] Krathong – A magical night where the City of Angels filled with thousands of wishes source : http://www.canvas-of-light.com/2010/11/photo-essay-loy-krathongyi-peng-festival-2010/ http://blog.tourismthailand.org/EugeneTang/?p=12137 [...]
[...] Photo Essay by Daniel aka @Eloren [...]
Oh wow! I think I’ve just booked a flight to Thailand and built my first lantern to boot.
Biggggg driiiblllleee trail after seeing these beauts!
Gorgeous!
Thank you very much Will :)
It’s such an amazing event. It’s so beautiful that I don’t known anyone around me who hasn’t shed a tear or two during the mass release.
[...] and panicked and prepared to leave Chiang Mai, I had the idea that I’d like to be back for Yi Ping, a festival that involves thousands of paper lanterns, fashioned like tiny hot air balloons, being [...]
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