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When: October full moon, 29th to 30th October 2012.
Where: Mekong River, Phon Phisai district in Nong Khai province,Thailand.
A very strange and beautiful phenomenon happens on the the Mekong River in Thailand around the time of the October full moon – the Naga Fireballs. Hundreds of colourful little fireballs rise silently out of the river, flying upwards into the night sky until they disappear out of site.
This magical event that coincides with the end of Buddhist Lent is the centrepiece of a two day festival of light with an illuminated boat contest, the King’s Cup long-tailed boat race, and the setting off of many sky lanterns. All the surrounding activity may add colour and spectacle to the event, however nothing can detract from the spiritual impact of the fireballs themselves.
The unexplained nature of the phenomenon and it coincidng with such a religious day has lead locals to believe the fire comes from the mythical Naga dragon serpent living in the Mekong, as a gesture of homage to the Lord Buddha.
However, while still to completely prove the theory, scientists say that the fireballs are the result of a series of more natural occurrences. At this time of year there is a more than usual amount of plant and animal life decomposing at the bottom of the river, emitting flammable natural gases as the sun beats down on the river. These gases are released by the gravitational pull of the moon and this is at its strongest when the moon is full.
When is the Bang Fai Phaya Nak festival?
The event occurs over 2 or 3 days around the time of the October full moon and the end of Buddhist Lent (or Rains Retreat).In 2012 the full moon falls on October 29th and the end of Buddhist Lent is the 30th October so the festival will be around that time.
Quelle:
http://www.somewhereintheworldtoday....-nak-festival/
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