The prettiest festival in Laos
Boun Ok Phansa, or the Festival of Lights, would have to be
Laos’ most beautiful festivals by far.
Coinciding with the celebration of the end of Buddhist Lent, households,
businesses, guesthouses all join with the temples to create illuminated boat
displays. Some temples put incredible
effort into decorating not only these magnificent boats but also the Wat
(temples). A procession is held through
town on the Full Moon where each temple’s boat is paraded through the town to
Wat Xiengthong, where judging occurs and tourists and locals alike gather to
get a closer look at the amazing creations.
Other festivities include firecrackers (one of my personal
least favourites!), and the release of both traditional flower wreaths down the
river and fire lanterns into the sky. It
is truly a wonderful and joyous sight to behold! Food, drink and much merriment is the order
of the night and it’s a terrific atmosphere when it seems the whole population
descends on the peninsula.
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| Volunteers light candles with Novices at the boat |
GVI Volunteers enjoyed an extra special treat on the eve of
the main festival, being invited out to Wat Pasaviet (a temple where we teach
novice monks five evenings a week), lighting candles and saying prayers over
their boat. Apart from the dastardly
firecrackers, which both novices and local kids like to throw wantonly at each
others’ legs in jest, it was a sublime evening and well enjoyed by both our
novice students and the volunteers and staff.
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| One of the winning boats on display at Wat Xiengthong |
As with all festivals and Buddhist occasions in Laos all the
schools shut down to partake in the festivities for 3 days. A small disappointment for some volunteers
with 2 week durations, but more than made up for by the spectacle and wonder of
the week.
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