The Loy Kratong Festival - Blessing Before our Trip

The most popular festivals in early of the month November, is the Loy Krathong Festival. This festival is very welknown to Thai people and also foreigners. And it set during the weather is clear, on the full moon night, when the river is high over the country. There has an important meaning about "Loy Krathong", first, "Loy" means "to float" and "Krathong" means a lotus-shaped vessel made of banana leaves. The Krathong usually contains a candle, tree joss-sticks, some flowers and coins.

In the past, people believe that they offer thank to the Goddess of water. Thus, by moonlight, people light the candles and joss-sticks, make a wish and launch their Krathong on canals, rivers or even small ponds. It is believed that the Krathongs can carry away sins and bad luck, and the time to start the coming new year, tobe joyful, and happy as suffering are floated away.

In celebration of the Festival, our group joined the Thai Community at the Wat Thai Temple in North Hollywood, California to receive a blessing from the Thai monks in preparation for our upcoming journey in a few weeks. The morning started with offerings of food and notions to the monks before the prayer and meditation service. The Loy Krathong festival is a magical and festive occassion that is luminated with floating candles and air balloons.