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The literal meaning of the word Tanabata is seven evenings. Tanabata, the Japanese star festival is believed to have been derived from two other Japanese festivals, the Obon and the Qi Xi. Tentatively held on the 7th of July every year, this Tanabata Festival is an occasion to celebrate the adjoining of Orihime (or the Vega) and the Hikoboshi (or the Altair). It is believed that the Milky Way separates these lovers from meeting each other.These two lovers are scheduled to meet only once every year on a very special day. This special day is found to occur on the seventh month of the year and is known as Tanabata.
The modern Japanese people celebrate this day mostly by writing wishes in the for of poetry on small pieces of paper. These poetries put on paper cuttings are mostly hanged into bamboo, with or without special decorations being implemented upon them. These bamboos are often borne on rivers and burnt as soon as the Tanabata Festival comes to an end. The burning procedure may also take place around mid night or on the first hours of the very next day.
Even in the shopping malls and busy streets of Japan, this Tanabata Festival is celebrated with immense exposure. The shops, streets and malls ( as the case may be), are decorated with large and colorful streamers. However, the place where this Tanabata Festival is celebrated in biggest stature is undoubtedly Sendai. The tentative date for this Tanabata Festival in this region however falls between 5th to 8th of August.
Though this Tanabata Festival and its characteristic celebrations are known to differ from region to region, yet the decoration competitions which are in a sense, an inseparable part of this festival is carried out in almost all its venues. Other events that form an integral part of this festival include the likes of parades, Miss Tanabata contest to name a very few. Even outdoor food stalls, carnival games and traditional Japanese show pieces are also available during the course of this festival, adding to its festivity.
Scroll down the pages of to know more about other important festivals of South East Asia. .
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