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7 Famous Festivals Around the World You Must Know About

7 Famous Festivals Around the World You Must Know About

Festivals are a fantastic opportunity to spend a good time with our friends and families.

It also helps you learn about the local culture and traditions of a place.

The festivals and celebrations are another way to live life to the fullest.

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The simple and enjoyable way of participating in different festivals can enlighten our lives.

Every year, there are hundreds of different festivals that are celebrated in many corners of the world.

In this article, you will get to know about the following festivals in the world,

  1. Carnival of Rio De Janeiro
  2. La Tomatina
  3. Albuquerque Balloon Festival
  4. Diwali
  5. Durga Puja
  6. Yi Peng
  7. Holi

Let’s see each of these places in detail…

1. Carnival of Rio De Janeiro (Brazil)

Carnival

The Carnival of Rio De Janeiro is the grandest carnival on the planet.

Carnival, as presented by Rio de Janeiro, is one of the most exciting and rapturous cultural festivities on the planet.

Despite its origins in ancient Greek revels honoring Dionysus, the god of wine, Carnival was later modified by the Romans to worship two of their own gods, and later by the Catholic church to have the festival celebrated directly before the period of Lent.

Rio de Janeiro has gained the title of “World Carnival Capital” for its legendary samba dance, vibrant eye-catching costumes, throbbing music, breathtaking float displays, and exhilarating atmosphere.

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Brazilians unite in this world-renowned carnival during the months of February or March before easter.

The carnival parade is held in the Sambadrome.

The fun and gaiety of the carnival shows make the environment of hot summer days in Brazil more splendid.

Rio’s masquerade balls and the nightclub parties arranged by the itinerant Blocos and chic make the festival merrier.

2. La Tomatina (Spain)

The town of Bunol near Valencia in Spain hosts the World’s biggest food fight event, La Tomatina every August on the last Wednesday.

We Can’t deny the fact it is one of the messiest events on earth as people throw ripe tomatoes at each other.

It is believed that La Tomatina had originated from simple pranks among youngsters to attacks on a terrible musician and residents expressing their wrath and disgust with municipal councilmen.

This friendly battle and the offbeat event draw a large crowd.

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In the past, up to 50,000 people attended the legendary La Tomatina, but since 2013, a ticket system has been implemented to maintain the number of participants at or below 20,000.

The hour-long war begins with the firing of water cannons, followed by chaos as over 100 tonnes of overripe tomatoes are squashed and tossed all over the streets and lanes of Bunol.

Shopkeepers cover their storefronts with huge plastic covers to protect them from the commotion.

3. Albuquerque Balloon Festival (United States)

Albuquerque Balloon Festival

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the country’s largest yearly international event.

For over four decades, New Mexico has hosted spectacular events in the first or second week of October when blue shades cover the sky and gentle winds sail over the pretty landscapes.

Throngs of people wait for the most anticipated sights of the colorful hot air balloons drifting through the cool autumn air.

Another spectacular highlight of the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is the chainsaw sculpture art that attracts many art enthusiasts from Mexico.

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From its humble origins in the 1970s in a mall parking lot with only 15 hot air balloons, the
Balloon Fiesta has progressively grown to become the world’s largest ballooning festival.

During mass ascensions, all the special-shaped balloon rodeos, twilight balloon glows and vibrant colored balloons are launched in a coordinated and safe manner.

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is one of the most photographed events on the planet, with almost 600 brightly colored balloons launched each year.

Laser light shows, pyrotechnics, live band performances, and interactive education adds to the charm and magic of Balloon Fiesta and ensures that everyone enjoys the grandeur of the event.

4. Diwali (India)

Diwali

Diwali is another popular festival celebrated in India.

It is also known as the “Festival of Lights”.

This festival emerged in India a long time back and is commonly referred to as “Deepavali”. 

Jains, Sikhs, and Hindus celebrate Diwali in their own ways. 

One of the most significant festivals in the world, Diwali is celebrated to commemorate the return of Lord Rama, Sita, and brother Lakshmana to Ayodhya after defeating Ravan. 

It occurs in the month of Kartik every year and it is a five-day-long festival. 

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People light small mud lamps, candles, and colorful lights to illuminate the houses.

People exchange gifts, decorate their houses with Diyas and rangolis, worship Goddess Lakhsmi” the goddess of wealth” prepare delicious food and sweets, buy new dresses, and burst crackers. 

Streets and colonies look more colorful and kids are more cheerful as they enjoy fireworks during this time. 

Countries outside India also celebrate this grand festival with a lot of joy and splendor.

Diwali is one of the many amazing things India is famous for.

5. Durga Puja (India & Bangladesh)

Durga Puja is one of the prime festivals that takes place in India. It is dominant in the state of West Bengal and in some other states in India.

The entire Bengali Community celebrates the grand festival with fervor. Hearts are filled with joy and happiness. 

UNESCO has listed the festival of Durga Puja in Kolkata (West Bengal) in its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list (ICH).

The entire West Bengal gets illuminated with lights. Durga Puja is basically a four days festival from Saptami to Dashami. 

It is said that Devi Durga defeated the demon Mahisashura to protect the Trilok from its persecution. 

Pandle hopping, Dhunuchi dances, and grand pujas with the lovely sounds of dhaks, bells, and Kashor make the essence of the festival superior. 

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Couples hang out in puja pandals and enjoy Addas with their friends. Families meet together during pujas strengthening bonds among them. 

Enjoying different street foods and other dishes is a common scenario.

Durga puja is also celebrated by the Bengali Community outside India in certain parts of the globe.

6. Yi Peng (Thailand)

Yi Peng, a unique festival of Northern Thailand, is a part of the Light Festival conducted in the second lunar month of the year.

Originally this festival has been adopted by the Brahmins.

Although Yi Peng is celebrated throughout Thailand, Chiang Mai hosts the greatest Yi Peng Festival along with other cultural events and fireworks that you won’t want to miss.

Yi Peng coincides with the Loy Krathong festival in Chiang Mai.

Locals’ houses and public spaces are decorated with colorful hanging lanterns, flag decorations, candles, flowers, and coconut leaves during Yi Peng.

People in Thailand believe that lighting lanterns are considered very auspicious and significant in Buddhist Cultures.

A parade, live music, dance displays, handicraft activities, and the release of lanterns into the night sky are among the festivities.

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Colorful lanterns are displayed at the Three Kings Monument and Thapae Gate. Locals believe that releasing lanterns represents letting go of past misfortune and starting over.

The practice of making colorful lanterns and donating them to temples is a way to make eminence and embrace goodwill.

Different types of lanterns like Khom Kwaen, Khom Gratai, Khom Paad, Khom Thuea adorn the city with utter elegance.

During evenings Khom Loy (floating lanterns) are released into the air. The glowing lanterns set in the backdrop of the full moon are a moment to remember forever.

7. Holi (India & Nepal)

Holi

Holi is undoubtedly one of the world’s most important religious celebrations. This festival, also known as the Festival of Colors, is a celebration of good triumphing over evil.

It is a springtime festival that embraces love and bondage. The event also signifies the end of winter and the emergence of the spring harvest season’s bounty.

The grand festival of Holi is observed every year on the day following the full moon in March.

The ritual is generally initiated through a bonfire which signifies the burning of the demoness Holika as its connection to the festivities is considered significant.

Holi is a time when old friends, neighbors, kids, and elders come out of their houses, get smeared in vibrant colored “Gulals”, Sing, dance, and feast beyond limits.

People spend their day throwing brightly colored powder on strangers, acquaintances, and family, drenching each other in the colored water.

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Kids play with water balloons and dance beneath water sprinklers.

Holi is known by different names in India such as the “Vasant Panchami”, “Vasant Utsav”, etc.

Locals of different states celebrate this festival in their own traditional ways.

Elders prepare halwa, puris, and Malpuas and invite guests to relive every moment of this grand festival.

These are some of the popular festivals that are celebrated all across the world.

Plan your dream vacation soon to experience the splendor and fervor of these grand festivals.

The amazing festivals around the world not only unite a large happy crowd but also reflect the culture and tradition of the places where they are held.


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