Buddha FEST!!
The Lotus Lantern Festival is one of the biggest events in Seoul every year. I was lucky not to be working and go this year. Here are some pictures.
One of the best festivals of the year is the Buddha Lotus Lantern Festival in Seoul. It is usually a day of learning to make Lotus Lanterns, meeting Buddhists from around Asia and lots of good chances to take pictures. For the past few years, I haven't been able to attend due to tutoring or other commitments. This year, I wanted to go and fully experience the festival.
During the day, the streets are busy with people. Most of the people were Westerners, and most of them would have to be English teachers here in Korea. The center of the festival is Jogyesa in Seoul. It is the Buddhist center of the city, and it is stunning at night with hundreds, maybe even thousands, of lighted lanterns.
At night, there is a parade of lights stretching from Dongdaemun to Jogyesa. The route is about 10km. In the parade, people walk down the street holding Lanterns or following lit floats. People are chanting and playing traditional Korean Music. Along the roads, many people are taking pictures and enjoying the festival.
At the Temple, the lights are spectacular, and I couldn’t help but take a lot of pictures. The night, with the lanterns, is fantastic. I had to leave, but I took too many pictures.
