Festive Moments taking flights to Malaysia

Colourful festivals rank amongst the best times to catch flights to Malaysia and many other destinations. For instance, some of the best times to visit Malaysia are festivals such as Thaipusam, Wesak Day, and Chinese New Year.

Thaipusam

Travellers taking their flights to Malaysia during Thaipusam are in for some great festive moments. This pious festival is a major event amongst the Hindu community of Malaysia. Celebrated on the tenth month of the Hindu calendar, Thaipusam is observed to honour Lord Muruga, another name for Lord Subramanium. Although, Thaipusam is celebrated with great aplomb throughout Malaysia, a major highlight of the festival is the grand procession of Kuala Lumpur. An image of Lord Muruga aboard a bejewelled silver chariot drawn by two bulls is part of this procession. The procession goes up to the famous Batu Caves. From here, many devotees carry the Lord’s image up the stairs that lead right up the cave temple.

Langkawi Water Festival of Kedah

Water has a special place in Langkawi and the destination is well known for its water sporting events. The Langkawi Water Festival is one such colourful festival. Held on the dreamy beaches of Pantai Cenang, the event treats visitors to a world of delightful water polo and other adrenalin pumping activities. However, kayaking steals the limelight. It makes for an amazing sight to watch Kayaks decked up in vivid colours making a mad dash across the waters. The event finally wraps up with the end of the Labuan International Sea Challenge.

Wesak Day

The Buddhist festival of Wesak Day celebrates three major aspects of the Buddha’s life. These aspects are the Buddha’s birth, his enlightenment, and finally Nirvana. Devotees meditate on the eight precepts of Buddhism and flowers are offered. Pigeons are released and new monks join the folds. Heady chants and prayers rend the air and processions are taken out during the night. These night parades are held in many laces of the country. In Penang, the streets surrounding Jalan Burmah come alive with processions throughout the night. Visitors booking their cheap flights to Malaysia on the eve of Wesak Day would definitely do well to check out the celebrations.

Chinese New Year

This is the most important festival amongst Malaysia’s Chinese community. The festival starts from the first day of the Chinese Lunar Calendar and stretches over 15 days. The colour red denotes the Chinese New Year, while the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac depict the different years. The dark hour of the midnight is lighted up with fireworks and offerings are made to gods and spirits alike. Many family gatherings take place and traditional lion dance performances are held as well. With festivities spanning such a large time frame, visitors booking flights to Malaysia during the period can comfortably experience these celebrations without upsetting their schedules.

Gawai Dayak

Gawai Dayak is an annual festival exclusive to Sarawak and is celebrated on the 1st of June. The Sarwak community of Dayaks celebrate this festival as means of thanksgiving to the gods for a good harvest. Processions are taken out, people get high on cheap rice wine and there is a lot of singing and dancing. Livestock sacrifices are held as well. Anyone taking one of the cheap flights to Malaysia for a Sarawak visit during the festival can be assured of an atmosphere marked by gaiety. Besides merry making, the Dayak community also clean their houses and tend to their ancestors’ graves.

Hungry Ghost Festival

On the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, Buddhists and Taoists celebrate the Hungry Ghost Festival. Houses made of paper are burnt by Chinese families as a gesture to ensure that souls of departed loved ones rest in peace. Religious ceremonies are held in the different temples. The Hungry Ghost Festival along with the Gawai Dayak may not exactly be tourism boosters in Malaysia, nevertheless, visitors can have a gala time.

Merdeka

The festival of Merdeka holds a special place in the heart of Malaysians. It is celebrated on 31st August to commemorate Malaysia’s independence from Singapore. There is no end to the number of parties, parades, and other colourful events. Heart warming patriotic slogans by natives fill the air. Tickets for many of the events turn out to be pretty cheap and some of the events don’t even have a fee.