Loi Krathong Festival

This weekend Thailand celebrates the charming Loi Krathong Festival (24th - 28th November). As the monsoon recedes this is a time of year to give thanks to the goddess of water, to seek forgiveness for past deeds and also to make wishes for the coming year. The festival is usually celebrated by releasing lotus-shaped vessels (or krathong) containing candles, incense and flowers on to rivers, lakes and ponds around the country at the time of the full moon.

Under the reflection of the moon, the colourful krathongs, with their flickering candle lights gently drifting on the surface of the water, make this particular festival one of the most beautiful, and romantic, in the Buddhist calendar.

Loi Krathong is most spectacularly celebrated in Ayuthaya, Sukhothai or Chiang Mai where there are large processions, beauty pageants and fireworks. However if you can't make it to Thailand this time around why not join in the fun closer to home?

The Buddahapadipa Temple in Wimbledon, an authentic Thai temple situated right in the middle of a residential street close to the famous Common, will open its doors on Sunday and welcome all comers to join in their Loi Krathong celebrations. As well as having a pond for releasing your krathong on, this London based festival will feature traditional Thai dancing, a beauty contest and of course plenty of delicious Thai food to dine on.

Happy Loi Krathong - wherever you choose to celebrate!