This is some seriously breathtaking stuff

 

All of us know, that as a travel destination, Thailand is right up there. When it comes to cultural festivals, you can find yourself spoilt for choice with all the wonderfully weird, wacky and yet undeniably beautiful festivals the country seems to cultivate flawlessly.

This weekend, two visually mesmerising lantern festivals were held in Thailand, namely Loi Krathong and Yi Peng.

Loi Krathong is signified by floating ‘krathong’ also known as candle baskets laid on rivers and waterways in Thailand. This is done in offering to the spirits of the various water-bodies.

buddhist-lanterns taylor weidman getty3(Image Courtesy : Taylor Weidman/Getty Images)

buddhist-lanterns dario pignatelli reuters(Image Courtesy : Dario Pignatelli/Reuters )

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In other parts of Northern Thailand, this festival also coincides with the festival of Yi Peng, which consists of releasing thousands of paper lanterns into the sky  for the sake of good luck.

buddhist-lanterns taylor weidman getty(Image Courtesy : Taylor Weidman/Getty Images)

To be in the most culturally significant city of Thailand (namely Chiang Mai) during these festivals is quite the experience. The view from a bridge or a river bank will leave you breathless – imagine a swarm of paper lanterns lighting up the sky while at the same time, the rivers being adorned by floating candles.

buddhist-lanterns taylor weidman getty4(Image Courtesy : Taylor Weidman/Getty Images)

buddhist-lanterns taylor weidman getty2(Image Courtesy : Taylor Weidman/Getty Images)