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Laos is a Democratic Republic a landlocked country in the south East Asia. The country is bordered by Myanmar and China in the northwest, Vietnam is in its east, Cambodia is to its south and Thailand to the west. The main dominant religion of the country is Buddhism. Festivals and celebrations do have an eminent position in the country, it can be said that all round the year the Laotians engage themselves in merry makings.
In the month of January Bun Pha Wet festival is celebrated which is generally celebrated in different villages. The festival is related to the stories of Jataka that deals with the life of Lord Buddha. The stories of Jataka are recited in the temples. This story reciting moment is observed auspiciously by the Buddhist monks.
In the month of Febuary the Magha Puja is celebrated in Laos. Through the festival the original teachings of Lord Buddha are recapitulated and a wonderful procession with candle lights is performed. Throughout the procession devotional music and sacred chants are uttered.
The Boun Khoun Khao festival which is a harvest festival is observed in the month of March in Laos.
The Boun Pimai comes in the month of April and this New Year of the Laotians. The festival is the ideal time of merry making for the people of Laos. Dancing, singing and devouring good food are the most common features of the festival.
In the month of May the Boun Bang Fai which is famous in the name of Rocket Festival. The celebration embraces extravagant parties, music and food. Explosives do play an important role in this festival. Rockets are prepared and are blown.
Another important festival that is observed in Laos is the Boat Racing festival which is arranged on the river Maekong. Each temple of Laos prepares boats and they are elegantly covered with burning candles and then some religious rituals are followed. Finally the boats are launched on the Maekong River and the race starts.
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