Discover the Grandeur and Spectacle of Asia's Most Colorful Festivals - The Top 10 List!

Each of the countries in Asia has a unique culture, often celebrated in its own way on festival days. While some festivals are more notable than others, each one offers an occasion to express traditions, and respect for ancestors, share food, watch parades, marvel at dancers, enjoy fireworks, and discover new ways of crafting artful displays. In this article, we’ll be exploring the top 10 most colorful festivals in Asia.

1. The Float Festival in Thailand

The Float Festival (or Loi Krathong) is celebrated on the full-moon night of the 12th month on the Thai Lunar calendar. During this festival, people make and launch decorative rafts (or krathongs). These krathongs, often made from banana leaves and flowers, are decorated with candles, incense, and little items including coins and even fingernail clippings. It is believed that these little vessels, carrying personal items away, release negative energy. On the night of the festival, people also send sky lanterns into the sky and make a modest offering of candles, incense, and flowers at temples.

2. Lohri Festival in India

The festival of Lohri is celebrated with traditional songs and dances in North India, especially the Punjab region. The occasion marks the passing of winter solstice and the beginning of longer days. People light bonfires and offer the sweet delight of sesame seeds and popcorn to the fire. People wear colourful clothes, sing and dance to the beats of the drums and dhols, and celebrate the victory of good over evil. Sweets are exchanged, and children wander from house to house seeking money or edibles as a part of the tradition. It’s an enjoyable and colourful festival.

3. Dragon Boat Festival in China

The Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. This year, it falls on 7th June 2020. During this festival, dragon boats, decorated with impressive dragon heads and tails, fiercely compete in racing games. Flag dancers, dressed in bright conventional costumes, perform energetic rituals to the beats of drums. People also eat Zongzi, a special crescendo-shaped delicacy, made of glutinous rice and other ingredients wrapped in willow or bamboo leaves. This is one of the most vibrant and colourful festivals of the year.

4. Lantern Festival in Vietnam

Also known as the Tet Trung Thu, the Vietnamese Lantern Festival is a night of festivities that takes place on the 15th day of the eight month of the Lunar Calendar. During this festival, people hang colourful paper lanterns in the streets, houses and temples. Children parade the laneways with epic tunes and costumes along with paper lanterns. In addition to this, people also float small boats with lit candles for a traditional design called the Trieu Tiet, where people guess the Lucky Boat for variations of wishes. The event is truly photogenic and provides a visual treat.

5. Transmongolian Festival in Mongolia

This is an annual festival with a unique blend of folk music, traditional Mongolian dress, games and racing, horseback riding and wrestling. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm, colours and performances. During this festival, people dress up in traditional Mongolian costumes to honor the tribes. There are plenty of activities, including food stalls, traditional folk games and audience singing along to folk songs. The best part of the festival is horseback riding, where participants indulge in friendly competitions to showcase their skills.

6. Onam Festival in India

Onam is one of the biggest festivals of Kerala, celebrated to mark the homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali. It is one of the most important and colorful festivals in the state. From traditional games to dance performances and processions, Onam becomes more than just an event of worship. People decorate their homes with traditional rangoli (floor designs of flower petals), exchange gifts, take part in boat races, play outdoor games (vettimadu and ambeyyal), and prepare an array of traditional dishes and sweets.

7. Bali Kite Festival in Indonesia

Popularly known as the Bali Kite Festival, people from all the corners of Indonesia enthusiastically assemble at the beach resorts of Sanur for two weeks long of kite flying. These kites are made up of exquisite paper, carpets and fabrics along with traditional eye-catching ornaments. Considered to be an important event of the locals, the kites are flown in various shapes and sizes. Cultural entertainment such as night markets and exhibitions also take place for fascinating spectators.

8. Dargeeling Carnival in India

One of the most vibrant festivals in India, the Darjeeling Carnival is celebrated every year between late February and early March. People come together wearing brightly coloured attires and masks to celebrate the vibrant culture with music, the famous dragon dance and delectable local cuisine. The Festival starts with a football match and continues with folk performances, a grand procession, raffles, and food stalls. The procession is the most attractive part of the carnival, with floats featuring local dance and music performances. The spectacular fireworks at night take the carnival to a higher level.

9. Baisakhi Festival in India

This cheerful festival is celebrated in the northwestern state of Punjab. It marks the New Year according to the solar calendar and falls on the 13th or the 14th of April. People celebrate it with a lot of enthusiasm, wearing festive clothes and performing the traditional ‘Bhangra’ dance. They exchange sweets, prepare a variety of vegetarian dishes, and meet friends and family to celebrate. The day is full of religious ceremonies taking place in Gurudwaras and assembling at the Golden Temple. A parade takes place in all the streets, full of colour and joy.

10. Taalim Festival in Bangladesh

The Taalim Festival is celebrated in the city of Dhaka. Decorated floats and decorated processions take place during this time. These processions are full of bright colours and dance performances to the beats of drums. People indulge in a plethora of traditional activities, such as an abacus competition, kite-flying competitions, traditional literature and dance performances, children’s shows, and delicious food. This festival is a great opportunity to explore the local Bangladeshi culture.

Conclusion

The festivals of Asia are full of colour and joy and offer a great opportunity to explore local cultures. Whether it’s the Float Festival in Thailand, the Lohri Festival in India, or the Taalim Festival in Bangladesh, you’re sure to be enchanted by the vivid festivities. For those who are interested in learning more about the diverse cultures of Asia, these top 10 colourful festivals are certainly a great way to start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to the most asked common questions related to Asia's most colourful festival.

What is the Dragon Boat Festival?

The Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month on the Chinese lunar calendar. It is celebrated with dragon boats, traditional dancers, ceremonies and rituals, and special Zongzi delicacy.

When is the Lantern Festival in Vietnam?

The Lantern Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month on the Chinese lunar calendar. People decorate streets, houses and temples with colourful paper lanterns and celebrate the occasion with music and costumes.

What is the Transmongolian Festival?

The Transmongolian Festival is an annual event where people from all the corners of Mongolia come to celebrate the folk music, dress, games and racing, horseback riding and wrestling. People wear traditional Mongolian costumes to honour the tribes, and the event includes food stalls, folk games, singing and horseback riding.