Loi Krathong Festival of Thailand

I was recently invited to the Loi Krathong festival held at Dusit Devarana in Delhi. The festival was organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

The 'Queen' with a Krathong

Loi Krathong is a festival of lights in Thailand wherein floating crown like decorations are floated in water body. It takes place on the full moon of the 12th Thai lunar calender which is normally in November in the Christian calender.

Thailand's Ambassador with the Krathong

The festival started with several Thai dances with the accompaniment of Thai music. Most of the dances were typically slow and graceful as the Thai dances normally are. After the dance performance all the guests were invited to light the lamps and incense sticks and then float them in the water. This part was led by the Thailand's Ambassador to India and then all of us followed suit. The floating lights in the water produced a mesmerizing effect. 

Lighted Krathongs being floated in the water

After the dances the dinner was again sumptuous Thai food and so many typical Thai desserts. The venue - Dusit Devarana  - is a super luxury Thai hotel and resort that has recently opened in Delhi on the National Highway number 8 very close to the Delhi-Gurgaon border. The landscaping of the hotel is fantastic.

I have recorded one of the Thailand's dances on this occasion and I prsent it to you here -

Video of a dance of Thailand on the occasion of Loi Krathong