India: Possibly the birthplace of Loi Krathong

There are several anecdotes about the origin of Loi Krathong. Some historians said it was held in ancient time by farmers simply to celebrate the end of the harvest season while some believe it has a historical and religious tie and came from India.

According to the memoir of the Thai King Rama IV in 1863, this is a Brahmanical festival was adapted by Buddhists in Thailand as a ceremony to honor the original Buddha. People pay respect to Lord Buddha by floating away the candle raft. It is a symbol of letting go of all one’s grudges, anger and defilements, so that one can start life afresh on a better foot. People will also cut their fingernails and hair and add them to the raft as a symbol of letting go of the bad parts of oneself. They also believe that floating a krathong will bring them good luck and many believe they do it to honor and thank the Goddess of Water, Phra Mae Khongkha.

However, a few historical experts think the festival may have its root in India. The festival share some striking similarity to the Diwali festival, a significant festival in Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism. Known nowadays as ‘the Festival of Light’, Diwali the festival is a symbol to signify of good over the evil within every human being.

Held between October and November, Diwali may have originated as a harvest festival, marking the last harvest of the year before winter. The deity of wealth in Hinduism, goddess Lakshmi is thanked on this day and everyone prays for a good year ahead. This is the common factor in Diwali celebrations all over the Indian subcontinent.

In Northern India it is the homecoming of King Rama of Ayodhya after a 14-year exile in the forest. The people of Ayodhya (the capital of his kingdom) welcomed Rama by lighting rows (avali) of lamps (deepa), thus its name, Deepawali, or simply shortened as Diwali. Southern India marks it as the day Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura.

Diwali is now considered to be a national festival. The aesthetic aspect of the festival is celebrated by most Indians regardless of faith.