So much in Asia depends on the calendar. In February in Beijing, more than 20 million people all set off fireworks to celebrate Chinese New Year. In Nagaland in India, tribes from all over the region meet to compete, dance, and celebrate. In Thailand, spectators look on as celebrants perform bizarre rituals at the Nine Emperor Gods Festival.
With an intimate and unique knowledge of Asian culture, Remote Lands knows the importance of experiencing culture the right way. Whether you want an up-close view of the Sing-Sing festival in the Asaro Valley of Papua New Guinea or a quiet walk through the Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan, Remote Lands can give travelers the best possible experience on their celebrations throughout Asia.
This annual six-day Hindu festival celebrates the Hindu goddess Durga, marking the victory of the goddess over an evil buffalo demon, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. The important religious event includes worship of nature, as well as the display of idols and imagery to commemorate the goddess.
Also known as Mysore Dasara, this elaborate 10-day state festival takes place in southwest India’s Karnataka. The last day, Vijayadashami, is the festival’s most auspicious, said to denote victory of good over evil. The festival has a long history, having celebrated its 400th anniversary in 2010.
The Goroka Festival is an important date for many in the Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea. Stretching back over 50 years, this weekend show is a well-known gathering showcasing as many as 100 different tribes, all of whom sing, dance and parade in front of each other, as well as the many onlooking international guests.
Celebrating independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 following the Soviet coup d'état attempt, also known as the August Coup, Independence Day is celebrated with a number of different events around the country, including military displays and political awards events. At varying years, a military parade is held in Republic Square in Yerevan, the capital.
The celebration of god Indra’s day is marked by masked dances of deities and demons, among other religious imagery to honor the god. The festivities take place at Kathmandu Durbar Square, and together with the Kumari Jatra festival, which celebrates the goddess Kumari, go on for eight days.
This annual jazz event aims to showcase the country’s long-running attachment to jazz, a connection established in the 60’s and 60’s when jazz was outlawed by Soviet authorities.
Visitors are able to swim around the Samosir, party at the Sigale-Gale Carnival, take a ride on a Solu Bolon Royal Boat, paraglide, dance at a live concert and more at the week-long Lake Toba Festival. Traditional workshops and games help promote Indonesian culture as the festival strives to preserve the area’s cultural creativity.
The day before the full moon, young women from the surrounding villages bring offerings of fruits and cakes to the Manuha Pagoda and the men march in a grand carnival procession with paper statues of gods and animals. During the evening there are traditional performances and in the morning, monks are invited and presented with alms.
The Mid-Autumn Festival brings with it the famous ´moon cakes´ (originating from the Yuan dynasty), fiery dragon parades and a spectacular lantern exhibition in Victoria Park.
This three-day festival includes a one-day public holiday and is celebrated throughout China. Traditionally observed to give thanks to the moon for the harvest, nowadays it is often referred to as Moon Cake Festival and families celebrate together, eating cakes, sending up lanterns to the full moon and enjoying the festive atmosphere.
