The Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival

You have probably heard of the Chinese Lunar New Year. Have you also heard about the less well-known Hungry Ghost Festival?

Just as the Americans have the Halloween, the Chinese have their version of a ghost festival too. This year, Year 2006, the festival of hungry ghost starts on the month of August of the Western Calendar.

Celebrated mostly in South China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and especially in Singapore and Malaysia, the Hungry Ghost festival is a mixed Taoist/ folklore occasion that is taken very seriously by the Chinese. This festival falls on the 7th month of the Lunar New Year and is believed by the Chinese that during this month, the gates of hell are opened to free the hungry ghosts who will then wander the earth to seek food.

Filial Chinese families would celebrate this festival to remember their dead family members and pay tribute to them. At the same time, they also pray and pay tributes to other "unknown wandering ghosts" so that these homless souls will not intrude into their daily life and bring along misfortunes or bad luck to them or their family.

How is the festival celebrated?

One of the most popular belief among the Chinese is that the dead return to visit their living relatives during the 7th month and thus they prepare a sumptuous meal for these returning 'hungry ghosts'. The Chinese feel that they have to ensure that their ancestors are "well fed and clothed" in order to be happy and to bless their decendents.

During the 7th month celebrations, the Chinese offer prayers to their deceased relatives, burn joss sticks, paper money and offer food. In Singapore and Malaysia, it is a common sight to see entertaining ' wayang' or Chinese Opera and concerts performed on outdoor stages in some neighborhoods. These events are always held at night. There is a belief that this entertainment would please those wandering souls. These shows are very popular and often filled with audience but the front row seats are always left empty for... you guess it, the unseen ghosts!

Superstitious belief for the hungry ghost festival

Another interesting belief that the Chinese have about the festival is that it is bad to go swimming during the 7th month. They think that an evil ghost may cause you to drown in the swimming pool. In addition to this, children are also advised to return home early and not to wander around at night. This belief is due to the reason that the wandering ghosts might possess children. Thus, it is not surprising that swimming pools, beaches, shopping malls, cinemas, bowling alleys will report a dip in customers during this month. This is also a month considered not auspicious to get married, start a business, move house or even to travel. Plane, bus tickets and hotel rates tend to be at their lowest peak during this month!

Offerings to the Dead

The Chinese also give a lot of offerings to the deceased. These offerings are made by burning fake money notes, which are also known as 'hell money' and even paper television or radio sets. Some families also burn
paper houses & cars to give to their dead relatives. The Chinese feel that these offerings reach the ghosts and help them live comfortably in their world.

The Chinese regard the 15th of the month as an important date to give a feast to the ghosts. On this date, the family will cook a lot of food and offer them to the deceased. This is done to please the ghosts and also to gain good luck for the family. 15 days after the feast, the festival will be over, as the Chinese believe that the ghosts return back to where they come from.

That is, until the next Lunar 7th month....

The Indianapolis 500 Festival Parade Tips

The 500 Festival Parade

Held on Saturday, just before the race 500 miles, electrified the streets of downtown Indianapolis, as the stars of Indy with other celebrities from all over the country and around the world to celebrate the world's largest spectacle in racing. This parade is an annual event in Indianapolis since 1957.

The 500 Festival Parade balloons features popular cartoon characters, marching bands, dance groups, theme nightsSchwimmer, 33 Indy 500 Festival Princesses, popular star and the intrepid young race car driver, of course. Watch your favorite movie star or musical artist. See and be seen. Saturday before the world's most famous motor race, this is the place to be. The event will also be transferred to Indianapolis WISH TV-8 TV.

The atmosphere is family planning. Enjoy the organizers of the parade always sure to entertain the whole family can offer, especially the youngerFans. The parade starts at noon, but be sure to arrive early for this event will draw over 300,000 fans and if you have not booked a seat reserved on the roadside view of the premises are free Finders Keepers.

Former Grand Marshals include Jimmy Stewart, President, Walter Cronkite, Gerald Ford, Vice President Dan Quayle, Mickey and Minnie. The Grand Marshal for 2010 is expected to go on or about May 1, 2010, are announced.

The parade route starts atthe intersection of Pennsylvania and North streets, leading to the south of Washington Street, turn right (west) on Washington Street one block to Meridian Street, turn right (north) and continue until 11th Street, where the ends parade route. The streets will be closed the morning of the move from Illinois to the west of Delaware in the east, and from 16 North Street to Washington Street to the south. The roads closed at 6:00 clock starts, so plan your route carefully to avoid these areas.Tribune and parking spaces are available and protected with the purchase of a ticket. Tickets for adults can be purchased for $ 18.00 for reserved seats or $ 14.50 for reserved seating bleachers. Special wheelchairs can be provided, if at the time of the appointment of the tickets.

Tips that you may fine useful:

1. The sale of tickets for the parade in advance. Unlike most parades, Indy 500 Festival Parade tickets required. These are easilyavailable through many online ticket sales and this event regularly.

2. Making travel plans to arrive in Indianapolis. If you are lucky to live within driving distance of the city, it is easier for you. If flying, book as early as possible, because this is the busiest weekend Indy for sale and most of the flights. If you can not get a flight, check for flights to neighboring airports such as Chicago and Louisville.

3. Fix a hotel room in advance. As theFlights, hotels in the area will be slightly less than Indianapolis. The longer the track you are trying to find a room, the harder it is. Be prepared to drive a bit 'to get a festival.

4. Be on time for the day parade. Round up your family soon, and scouts from the front row to watch the festivities. Are advised to arrive several hours before the start of the parade. This leads us to ...

5. Bring chairs and a snack. Do not forget to water.Indianapolis usually has good weather this time of year and the first time that the movement offers great people watching. Once you find a place, sit back and wait for the action.

Chicago Blues Festival to get there - and make sure Wear Shades

Let cool? Do you have dark glasses or shade? And what's better than a blues festival in the heart of the blues, Central-Chicago? Every year in June devoted to the migration of the old Chicago blues best in Rhythm and Blues enjoy Manifesto phases Grant Park

The melodic sound mixed with the warm beer and barbecue readily available from suppliers all over the park, creating a scene in the 50s is 60 orthe blues really dominated the scene.

The facts are really great acts on behalf of many of the most famous, the title of the United States. And the best part: everything is free. The setting is floating along the lake and the pleasant breeze, the smoke and the smell of barbecue and beer over the crowd could have no better way to spend a day. In fact, the festival lasts four days and you can die for real, and overwhelming immersion in the world of rhythmBlues.

BB King with Bonnie Raitt acts exactly the right way. With a crowd of about 250,000 expected to say that some problems, but the truth is that these are uncommon, and Chicago's Finest is always present to keep a watchful eye on the event.

All in all, this event offers a great way to spend a few days in June and a truly American art form. This music with its roots in the religious background of the South African-Americans, steeped in struggleencountered in the civil rights movement is like a novel, the play of the heart and soul of the fighting in the '40s, '50s, hit, and 60.

Then take a refrigerator and a chair of light. Have napkins, for the grid, and get a ticket to downtown Chicago in June for the best of the Blues Festival Blues ... See you there.

The Indianapolis 500 Festival Parade Reviews

The 500 Festival Parade

Held on Saturday just before the race 500 miles, electrified the streets of downtown Indianapolis, as the stars of Indy to join with other celebrities from around the country and around the world to celebrate the world's greatest spectacle in racing. This parade is an annual event in Indianapolis since 1957.

The 500 Festival Parade balloons features the famous cartoon characters, bands, dance groups, theme eveningsSchwimmer, 33 Indianapolis 500 Festival princesses, celebrities popular and fearless young pilot, of course. Watch your favorite movie star or musical artist. See and be seen. The Saturday before the world's most famous motor race, this is the place to be. The event will also be transferred to Indianapolis WISH TV-8 TV.

The atmosphere is family planning. The organizers of the parade are always sure to enjoy entertainment the whole family can provide, in particular the youngerFans. The parade starts at noon, but is sure there early this event is expected to draw over 300,000 fans, and if you have not purchased a seat reserved for the guardian, the free Curbside viewing sites are seekers.

Former Grand Marshals include Jimmy Stewart, President, Walter Cronkite, Gerald Ford, Vice President Dan Quayle, Mickey and Minnie Mouse. The Grand Marshal for 2010 is expected to pass or May 1, 2010, are announced.

The parade route begins atIntersection of Pennsylvania and North streets, runs south of Washington Street, turn right (west) on Washington Street one block to Meridian Street, turn right (north) and continue until 11 Street, where the path ends in parade. The streets will be closed the morning of the move from Illinois to Delaware west to east, and from 16 North Street to Washington Street to the south. The streets begin to close at 06.00 clock, so plan your route carefully to avoid these areas.Tribune and reserved seats are available and secured by the purchase of a ticket. Tickets for adults can be purchased for $ 18.00 for reserved seats or $ 14.50 for reserved grandstand seats. Special accommodations for wheelchairs can be provided if arranged when ordering tickets.

Councils may well find handy:

First sale of tickets for the parade in advance. Unlike most parades, Indy 500 Festival Parade tickets required. These are easilyAvailable through the sale of tickets online and many event sold out regularly.

According to not get to travel to Indianapolis. If you're lucky enough to live to be reached by car from the city, it will be easier for you. If flying, book as soon as possible since sold out for the weekend Indy busiest and most flights. If you are not a flight, check flights to nearby airports such as Louisville and Chicago.

Third Fix a hotel room in advance. Just as theFlights, hotels will be as rare in the Indianapolis area. The approach to the runway you are trying to find a room, the harder it will be. Be prepared to drive a bit 'to get to the festival.

Fourth sure to soon be on parade day. Round up your family soon and scout in a unique position to observe the festivities. It is advisable to arrive several hours before the parade. This leads us to ...

Fifth Bring chairs and some snacks. Do not forget to water.Indianapolis time is usually much this time of year and the time before the move offers great people watching. Once you find a place, sit back and wait for the action.

The Timeless Appeal of Diwali Festival

Now that Diwali is just a few weeks away and will be celebrated on Saturday 17th October 2009, many families have already started preparing for the festival much in advance. According to the Hindu calendar, the festival of Diwali is celebrated on the 15th day of Krishna Paksh of the auspicious month of Kartik, which falls on around September/October every year.

On this day, Lord Rama returned to Ayodhaya along with Sita after a 14 year old exile in the forests. This day is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fanfare in India and many countries abroad. The name Diwali is actually a corruption of the world Deepavali, which means array of lamps. Diwali is therefore correctly known as the festival of lights in English.

Diwali - Full of Joy and Enthusiasm
The festival is usually preceded by a lot of excitement and enthusiasm. Children and elders too look forward to Diwali with a lot of eagerness. The day is full of traditional fervor and religious passion. On the occasion, people also worship Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, and pray to her for divine wealth and well-being. Children especially love this day, since they look forward to bursting a variety of firecrackers on this occasion. After the small formal puja ceremony, elders light lamps in the courtyards and also go out into the neighborhood and adjoining lanes to burst firecrackers to celebrate the home coming of Lord Rama and Sita.

The 5 Day Celebrations and Prayers
Actually, the festival is an elaborate affair that spreads over 5 days. Each of these days is dedicated to a particular diety. The first day is dedicated to the Lord Dhanvanatari - the astral physician to the Gods. On this day, Lord Dhanvantari is venerated and worshiped.

The second day is celebrated as Chhoti Diwali, also called Narak Chaturdasi, on which day Lord Krishna freed the world from fear by exterminating the demon Narakasur. Diwali falls on the third day, and Lord Govardhana (Mount Govardhan) is worshiped on the fourth day during the Govardhan Puja. In some parts of the country such as Gujarat, the day is celebrated as New Year Day, on which the New Year begins according to regional tradition.

The fifth day is celebrated as Bhai Dool which is dedicated to sisters. On this day, Lord Yama - the lord of Death, granted a boon to his sister Yamuna that who so ever would visit her on this day would be liberated of all sins and attain moksha (final emancipation). On this day, brothers visited their sisters and enquire about their well-being.

A Symbol of Victory of Good over Evil
The celebrations of Diwali indicate the victory of good over evil. Just before his return to the throne, Lord Rama vanquished the 10 headed Ravana who had kidnapped Sita to his abode Lanka. This symbolises the victory of good over evil and the vanquishing of darkness and the emergence of light.

On the day of the actual festival, elders and children thoroughly enjoy the festival after participating in the small formal worship at dusk. In today's times, many families also decorate their houses with colored electric lamps. The celebrations usually continue till late in the night, and since ages have brought joy and happiness to one and all in India and many others around the world.