The temple of Wat Phra That Hariphunchai, Lamphun, Thailand Nov 6, 2025

The temple of Wat Phra That Hariphunchai, Lamphun, Thailand

What would you wish for if a single lantern could carry it skyward? Tonight, in northern Thailand, the Yi Peng festival offers that chance. This centuries-old Lanna tradition celebrates the twelfth lunar month with glowing paper lanterns—khom loi—that are released to honour the Buddha. Each lantern is believed to carry away misfortune and light the way toward a brighter future. Children steady the lantern frames, elders whisper blessings and the crowd pauses as hundreds of lights drift higher than the trees. Farther south, the same full moon watches over Loy Krathong, a sister festival, where candlelit rafts glide across the water.

© MR. ANUJAK JAIMOOK/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Racing through the five boroughs
Nov 6, 2023Lago Pehoé, Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
Nov 6, 2024Shi Shi Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington, United States

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Where are these spectacular peaks?
Hovering over harmonious horticulture
What are these beautiful birds?
Jun 18, 2026The ruins of Sacsayhuamán, Cusco, Peru
Jun 11, 2025Greater flamingos, Lüderitz, Namibia
Wait, mountain – you shall bear my castle!
Jan 25, 2024Agra Fort, Agra, Uttar Pradesh
A cuddling pair of Taiwan yuhina
Pick your paradise
Sep 28, 2024Gulf Islands National Seashore, Florida, USA
Apr 8, 2026Seattle, Washington, United States
Nov 11, 2023Chinese fishing nets in Kochi, India
Jan 26, 2026Republic Day
Aug 7, 2024St. Joseph North Pier Inner and Outer Lights, Michigan, USA
A real fun guy…er, squirrel
What can you see from this tower?
Jun 2, 2026Telangana Day
Misty mountain hop
Jun 6, 202581st anniversary of D-Day
Oct 14, 2023Ring of fire solar eclipse
Have a merry little Christmas
Feb 28, 2026Oloupena Falls, island of Molokai, Hawaii, United States
Sep 27, 2024Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, Venice, Italy
Apr 7, 2024North American beaver
Aug 14, 2025Cable car station on Piz Nair mountain, Graubünden, Switzerland
Dec 13, 2024Christmas market, St. Stephens Basilica, Budapest, Hungary
A future built on the past
Flying the flag for Pride
A glimpse of the grandest of canyons
Sept 3, 2026Coyote Buttes, Arizona, United States