Yi Peng Festival II (II)
In the Northern Thai provinces that were once part of the ancient Lanna Thai kingdom, the Yi-peng Northern Lantern Festival is still being celebrated. Tubular lanterns, resembling hot air balloons, are lit and released into the night sky as an offering to the Lord Buddha. Traditional beliefs say that with the floating of these huge hot air balloons, the troubles of the person launching it also go away. Thus, it is a ceremony that helps you do away with difficulties and problems.

The name of the Yi Peng Festival in Northern Thailand derives from how the northern people count the months which is different from other regions. Yi refers to the second month of the year in the northern calendar and is the same month as November. Peng refers to the night of the full moon, so Yi Peng is the full moon in the second northern calendar month.

The pictures taken from this years festival, held on a "small" scale in the San Sai district near Mae Jo University , show the preparations and the final launch of the lanterns. People told me before the event that was truly is a sight to behold. I can only concur and have to admit a few tears of joy and freedom fell from my eyes when i saw the lanterns rise toward the Chiang mai night sky to melt with the stars when they drifted higher and higher. It was mere magic.

^JF

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