Festivals say a lot of a country and its inhabitants. Nations like Thailand and India enjoy a reputation of celebrating in style. Tourists plan holidays to different parts of the world depending upon the festivals and events that take place there. Date : Thursday, July 07, 2011
Festivals are the windows to the soul of a society! The manner in which people celebrate tells a lot about the people, the society and the country at large. Festivals are the best way to know a culture and its different traditions and customs. As tourists, it is not a bad idea to chalk out holiday plans around the most significant and popular festivals of that particular region. This not only allows the vacationers to get acquainted with a certain culture in a better way, but it also showers them with incredible revelries and thus making their holidays absolutely wonderful.
There are a number of festivals that are celebrated around the world, each having its own significance and its own set of rituals. However, there are certain festivals and events that are most germane to the lives of people and that are known to trigger off festivities on a completely different scale. Let us take a look at some of the most popular festivals across different cultures, religions and countries.
Christmas
Christmas is a hugely popular festival that is celebrated with great zeal among all. Christmas has bulldozed the limitations of being a religious festival and has snowballed into a phenomenon whose traces are felt all over the planet. The festival's infectious spirit has surely transcended regions, religions and beliefs. Be it a glitzy Las Vegas hotel in the United States or a far-flung Goan beach in India, Christmas is celebrated with almost same passion and ardour.
For holiday makers who wish to experience the glitter and shimmer of this remarkable festival on a foreign land, there are number of options. US cities like Miami and Hawaii are charming options, and so are the Far East destinations like Bangkok and Singapore. India is another destination that adds an altogether new perspective to Christmas holidays.
New Year's Eve
Celebrations take a whole new meaning when it's the New Year Eve! Different countries celebrate the event in different ways. However, the level of magnificence remains identical, even if the procedure is different. Get-togethers with friends and families are perhaps the de rigueur on the New Year's Eve, with people wanting and hoping to welcome the New Year with their loved ones.
New York City is one destination that comes to mind when one envisages of the tumultuous festivities prompted by the last few hours of the year. The ball dropping at NYC's Times Square is one of the iconic symbols of New Year Eve revelries. Los Angeles is another American city that welcomes the fresh year with great style and grandeur. Other than that, holiday makers can contemplate spending their first morning of the year in the beautiful Sydney or the fashionable Paris.
Diwali
Diwali or Festival of Lights is one the most enormously cherished festival celebrated all across India and Nepal. Actually, given the fact that Indians have migrated to almost every corner of the globe, it is safe to say that Diwali is one of the few festivals whose celebratory tremors are felt all across the world. Diwali is vital not only to Hindus, but also finds significant relevance in Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism.
Planning India holidays during this wonderful festival is an enchanting way to greet a culture and religion that is considered as the ‘mother of all'. Beautifully lit houses, exchanging of sweets and gifts, bursting of firecrackers and overall bonhomie are some of the charming aspects of this Hindu festival.
Ramadan
The holy month Ramadan is the most pious one among the followers of Islam. Muslims all over the world are gripped with religious fervour and unwavering devotion during this one month. Muslims are required to fast from dawn till evening, and to abstain from consuming alcohol and smoking. Tourists who hope to explore the wonderful Islamic culture in all its glory must plan a travel to Islamic holiday destinations like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Pakistan or Egypt during Ramadan.
Being a low tourist season, vacationers also have better chances of netting cheap flight tickets and low-cost hotel rooms. However, tourists must be warned that Ramadan is highly consecrated among Muslims and any show of disrespect towards the festival or the religion may not go down well with the locals.
Songkran
Thais are known all over the world for their amazing vehemence for festivals and celebrations. But it is the spectacular festival of Songkran that best reflects that passion and fervour. Songkran is celebrated in Thailand as the traditional New Year's Day, and is believed to be the biggest among all the festivals that are celebrated in the country. Merrymaking is the order of the day for people of all ages in Thailand as the scintillating Songkran strikes the shores.
Apart from being a beguiling social event full of fun and enjoyment, Songkran focuses on the spiritual welfare of the individual. Grab tickets on flights to Thailand to experience the wonderful phenomenon of Songkran!