As the holiday season begins, celebrations are not only going start in India, but around the globe too. From Christmas to Oktoberfest, people will be in a festive mood all over the world. So all the travellers in the world, brace yourself for 5 famous festivals of the world.
1. La Tomatina, Spain
Held in Spain on the last Wednesday of August, it is one of the most famous festivals of Spain. What is it? Well, it’s a tomato fight! Yes, you read that right. People from all walks of life come together and fight with tomatoes. This festival first started in 1945, though it wasn’t a celebration at that time! As history says, on this day a fight had started during the Giants and Big-Heads Parade and people had started hitting each other with tomatoes, till the police stopped them. Since then, the festival is being celebrated where all participants fight (or you can say play!) with tomatoes.
2. Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, USA
This is a 9 day hot air balloon festival, held in New Mexico in USA. A huge number of people get together to celebrate the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta which first started in 1972. And why? Well, it started to celebrate the 50th anniversary of 770 KOB Radio. Since then, this festival is being celebrated every February. It started with just 13 hot air balloons and now almost 500 hot air balloons are flown in the air for this celebration!
3. Boryeong Mud Festival, South Korea
Want to play with mud? Hell, yeah! The Boryeong Mud Festival is held every year at Boryeong in July. And there is just one rule; play with mud! This muddy festival started in 1998 as a marketing strategy for a company which created cosmetic with mud flats. Apparently, this mud contains a lot of minerals, bentonites and germaniums that are good for the skin. Since then, the mud playing hasn’t stopped (and it never should!). Millions of people participate in this festival to have fun in the mud.
4. Songkran Water Festival, Thailand
From 13th to 15th April, you will always find people playing with water in Thailand. Why? Well, because they will be celebrating the Songkran festival! I know many of you are thinking of the Hindu festival Holi. But, according to Thailand’s culture, Songkran is celebrated by people to wash away their sins and bad luck. Apart from that, it marks the starting of the Thai New Year. A large amount of people come on to the roads to play with water. Also, if you participate in this festival, you will find many elephants throwing water on people. Isn’t this a good way to start your New Year!
5. Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, China
After a great deal of tomatoes, mud and water, now comes ice and snow. If you want to see some great ice artwork, then Harbin Ice and Snow Festival would be the perfect festival for you. This festival starts on 5th January every year and lasts for a month, in Harbin, China. This festival derived from the tradition of making ice lanterns during winters in China. The stunning ice sculpture festival developed from making a simple lantern. How cool!
I’m sure that these given festivals have surely amazed you big time. After all, we cannot find all this in India! So what are you waiting for? Start planning your vacation to these countries!
