The History of Yi Peng Festival

The History of Yi Peng Festival : Exploring the Origins and Traditions

Yi Peng, also known as the "Festival of Lights," is an annual Buddhist festival celebrated in northern Thailand. The festival is centered around the release of sky lanterns into the night sky as a symbol of letting go of troubles and making wishes for the future.

The origins of Yi Peng can be traced back to the ancient Lanna kingdom in northern Thailand. The festival was originally a way for people to pay respect to the Lord Buddha and the gods, and it was also a time for families to come together and celebrate the end of the rice harvest season.

The Loy Krathong festival has a rich history that dates back many years. Originally, people floated lanterns as an act of worship to pay homage to the Buddha's relics and footprint. However, it was Nang Noppamas, also known as Phra Ruang's consort, who first introduced the concept of using Lotus Krathongs instead of floating lanterns. Somdej Phra Ruang was so taken by Noppamas's creation that he decided to adopt the tradition of using Lotus Krathongs in the annual Loy Krathong celebration, thus replacing the practice of floating lanterns.

Another important figure in the Yi Peng Festival is Phra Mae Ganga. The Ganges is revered as a water guardian deity in Hinduism and is respected according to the Lanna lunar calendar. The Loi Krathong tradition is held to express gratitude and offer apologies to Mae Ganga for any pollution of the river. This ceremony serves as a reminder for people to conserve water and understand its importance. It is not the only way to apologize to the Ganges, but it is also a symbol of letting go of negative experiences and making wishes for the future. Participants write their wishes on Krathongs and then float them down the river, symbolizing the release of their burdens and the manifestation of their desires. The same is true during the Yi Peng Festival, where people pray and release lanterns in honor of the Ganges, seeking blessings and guidance for the coming year.

The official date of Yi Peng is announced the year before, and it typically takes place on the night of the full moon or one day before or after. The festival is a time of joy and celebration, and participants release sky lanterns into the sky as a symbol of letting go of their troubles and making wishes for the future.

Upcoming Yi Peng Festival Dates:

Years	Day 1      In Chiang Mai	Day 2      In Chiang Mai
2022	November 8	November 9
2023	October 27	October 28
2024	November 15	November 16
2025	November 5	November 6
2026	November 24	November 25
2027	November 13	November 14
2028	November 1	November 2
2029	November 20	November 21
2030	November 9	November 10
2031	November 17	November 18
2032	November 16	November 17