Gawai Dayak
Festival
Sarawak, Malaysia
Celebrated primarily in
Sarawak since 1965, this
festival signifies the end
of the harvesting season
and ushers in the new
farming season for the
once-oppressed Dayak
community. The locals
prepare a home brewed
rice wine, which is made of
glutinous rice mixed with
yeast, which is then left to
ferment. People will sing,
dance and drink during
the festivities.Rath-Yatra
Puri, India
The Chariot Festival draws
millions of pilgrims from all
around the world. Devotees
who are not allowed into
the temple get a chance
to see the three deities:
Lord Jagannath, his brother
Lord Balabhadra and their
sister Subhadra as they
make their way to Gundicha
Temple in large chariots.
Guests can watch the
procession in the streets
of Puri. The chariots
are accompanied by a
cacophany of instruments.Waisak
Java, Indonesia
The Waisak Festival, also
call Vesakha or Vesak,
is the holiest day in the
Buddhist calendar, as it
is a triple celebration of
the Buddha’s birth, his
enlightenment, and his
attainment of nirvana.
Spectators are welcome
to watch the processions,
which are at their most
spectacular at Java's
Borobudur. The highlight
of the festival is when
thousands of puja lanterns
are released into the sky.Gangneung Danoje
South Korea
Gangneung Danoje is
the oldest festival in
South Korea. The myth
surrounding the festival
is to worship a mountain's
guardian spirit, which
protects the town, and
to pray for peace and
prosperity by offering
fermented drinks to the
god. Believers pray for five
days. Other events like
Korean wrestling, making
surichui rice cakes, and
traditional instrumental
contests are held.“We travel, some of us forever, to seek other places, other lives, other souls” – Anais Nin
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