Don't you just want to know what are the crazy stuff happening in Asia?? We have listed the top 4 fascinating events going on in Asia.
Let's start with the 4th placing..
4) THAIPUSAM
Have you ever pierced yourself? Do you have any guts how it feels like? urghhh.. That would hurt right? This is a normal celebration in Malaysia, but most of us don't know what's interesting about it. Here we give you ...... Thaipusam which is celebrated annually and the date falls on the full moon in the month of Thai, in Hindu calendar which defers from English’s. Usually, the celebration occurs in the end of January or in the early February.
A devotee with a kavadi on his back
The celebration is held to reduce the bad karmas the devotees are having from his or her wrongdoings so they would feel more peace and positive after performing devotion.
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Breaking of coconut
The most unique and interesting part of this celebration is that, the devotees who might have taken the vow when their prayers are answered, will pierce themselves to bring kavadi on their back. And it is said that, the bigger the kavadi is, the bigger devotion towards Lord Murugan. However, bringing kavadi and piercing one’s body is not a must, it is personal choice to quench the feeling of guilty.
Another thing that we can witness during Thaipusam Day is that the breaking of coconut on the streets to show the release of one’s ego. (that is something you don't see everyday)
Thaipusam is celebrated in countries where the community of Hindu existed, whether they are majority or minority. In Asia, some of the countries that are popular in celebrating this festival are Singapore (at Serangoon Road) and Malaysia (at Batu Caves).
Thaipusam at Batu Caves, Selangor
(Malaysia)
Credits to:
http://www.myhindupage.org/index.php/thaipusam
3) "NGABEN" - CREMATION CEREMONY
One of our friends was in Bali for her vacation and guess what she saw??
A group of people was lifting a small-tall hut on their shoulder. It seemed like Chinese's wedding where the bride is sitting in the hut, however IT IS NOT! It was actually the funeral tower or what they call as BADE.They were celebrating DEATH!
The last day of the Ngaben ceremony
Balinese's golden attire for the ceremony
In Bali, this would be the most spectacular religious Hindu ceremony when a person passed away. The Balinese Hindu belief is: death is not an end or punishment, rather a golden bridge to heaven, to begin a new life in a different, better dimension. Uniquely, dances, songs, games and often gambling are not to offend the family members, but to entertain them and put the sadness aside.
The celebration lasts for three days;
- 1st day : the corpse is bathed in holy water
- 2nd day: ornate offerings are made; e.g. a beautifully colourful and gilded tall wooden carriage or funeral tower ("Bade."), that is to be carried by the pall-bearers.
- 3rd day: the deceased body is put inside the funeral tower; these "Bade" can range in height form 4 to 12 meters depending on the caste of the deceased and/or the amount of money expended.
"Bade"
Burning the "Bade"
On the third day, the society and family members would have the processional walk to the funeral site with the tower. This is when the loved ones would trance; shake, tremble and cry out. During the procession, the tower is spun around several times especially at locations such as crossroads. This is to let the spirit of the deceased to get confused and and will not find it's way back home to bother or haunt the family.
Then at the funeral site, the tower is burned as a symbol of liberation, then the actual corpse is cremated thereby ending the family's obligation.
Here is a video of the Ngaben ceremony, that took place at a crossroad in Bali. This is on the third day of the ceremony:
Credits to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch
Don't you just want to know what are the crazy stuff happening in Asia?? We have listed the top 4 fascinating events going on in Asia.
Let's start with the 4th placing..
4) THAIPUSAM
Have you ever pierced yourself? Do you have any guts how it feels like? urghhh.. That would hurt right? This is a normal celebration in Malaysia, but most of us don't know what's interesting about it. Here we give you ...... Thaipusam which is celebrated annually and the date falls on the full moon in the month of Thai, in Hindu calendar which defers from English’s. Usually, the celebration occurs in the end of January or in the early February.
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| A devotee with a kavadi on his back |
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| Breaking of coconut |
 |
| Thaipusam at Batu Caves, Selangor (Malaysia) |
http://www.myhindupage.org/index.php/thaipusam
In Bali, this would be the most spectacular religious Hindu ceremony when a person passed away. The Balinese Hindu belief is: death is not an end or punishment, rather a golden bridge to heaven, to begin a new life in a different, better dimension. Uniquely, dances, songs, games and often gambling are not to offend the family members, but to entertain them and put the sadness aside.
The celebration lasts for three days;
On the third day, the society and family members would have the processional walk to the funeral site with the tower. This is when the loved ones would trance; shake, tremble and cry out. During the procession, the tower is spun around several times especially at locations such as crossroads. This is to let the spirit of the deceased to get confused and and will not find it's way back home to bother or haunt the family.
3) "NGABEN" - CREMATION CEREMONY
One of our friends was in Bali for her vacation and guess what she saw??
A group of people was lifting a small-tall hut on their shoulder. It seemed like Chinese's wedding where the bride is sitting in the hut, however IT IS NOT! It was actually the funeral tower or what they call as BADE.They were celebrating DEATH!
 |
| The last day of the Ngaben ceremony |
 |
| Balinese's golden attire for the ceremony |
The celebration lasts for three days;
- 1st day : the corpse is bathed in holy water
- 2nd day: ornate offerings are made; e.g. a beautifully colourful and gilded tall wooden carriage or funeral tower ("Bade."), that is to be carried by the pall-bearers.
- 3rd day: the deceased body is put inside the funeral tower; these "Bade" can range in height form 4 to 12 meters depending on the caste of the deceased and/or the amount of money expended.
 |
| "Bade" |
 |
| Burning the "Bade" |
Then at the funeral site, the tower is burned as a symbol of liberation, then the actual corpse is cremated thereby ending the family's obligation.
Here is a video of the Ngaben ceremony, that took place at a crossroad in Bali. This is on the third day of the ceremony:
Credits to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch2) SONGKRAN FESTIVAL
Let's HAVE A WATER WAR people! XD This grand celebration is considered as "Thailand's New Year" which is held on 13 to 15 April every year. It is usually celebrated in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Since April is occasionally hot in Thailand, it is known as the country's summer season. During the event, anyone can be immersed in a "complementary bath," and you too, can give other people a bath! Kids usually enjoy with their water guns spraying on others. This is also known as the water festival in Thailand, and the most important event of the year for the Thais. All the government offices will be closed and many businesses will have a break.
This is a 3 day water-fight that any person can use high pressure squirt guns to buckets filled with icy water. It became very popular amongst young Thai people as you can shoot water at any pedestrian, and people who rides the motorcycle would get a major points. So beware, you might be one of them!
Credits to:
aaaaaaand the 1st placing goes to ...
1) BABY CRYING SUMO
A BABY IS CRYING and what do you feel? You won't be happy right? However, in Japan, we found out they prefer to make the babies crying! For them, crying is the healthy measure for the children in Japan. Baby Crying Sumo is held annually at the Sensoji Temple, in Tokyo.
In the contest, the amateur sumo wrestler will hold the babies and scare them so they will cry. The Sumo referee will judge them by who's crying the loudest and the longest to be the winner.
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| " Cry baby, cry!" |
In the contest, the amateur sumo wrestler will hold the babies and scare them so they will cry. The Sumo referee will judge them by who's crying the loudest and the longest to be the winner.
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| Which baby crying the loudest? |
The parents bring the children willingly for they believe that this contest is good for their child's health and also to move away the evil spirit.
What else are you waiting for? LET THEM CRY! ;)
credits:
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