Loy Kratong, a Festivitiy

Wat Bua Kuan (Bua Kuan Temple)

Last night, I witnessed one of the most beloved celebration in Thailand that I find inviting, baffling, and spiritually uplifting. It is called Loy Kratong, which is literally translated as floating a kratong, a slice of a banana trunk decorated with incense sticks, candles, and flowers.

A typical Kratong

Floating kratongs

I say I find the celebration inviting because the Thai people are all in the spirit of celebrating the festivity starting at six in the evening and the merry making ends until midnight. I find it baffling because I was told that the offering of the kratong is for the water diety wherein the offering is made as a sign of being grateful for the water source. It was perplexing because by floating kratongs, we actually make the water dirty. 

A family floating a lamp

Shine bright like a diamond

However, it was spiritually uplifting because I saw how Thai families gather together to celebrate as they line up to floats their kratongs or when they hold the floating lamp as they release them in the air. Wishes of good fortune to come and getting rid of the bad spirits are tied up to this celebration.

The only temple I have seen with an escalator.

35 baht as offering for the construction of a new temple.

And as I floated my kratong last night, I gave my prayer of thanks for nature's gift but also asked not of excess but moderation in turn of nature's fury. I hope for cleansing, not destruction and for faith restored, not questioning.