Lantern Festival Welcoming Eid Fitr in Karimun

Lantern festival that use lamps with kerosene as fuel is a community tradition in Karimun regency, Riau Islands (Kepri) province every month of Ramadan, especially on a few days before Idul Fitri.

Almost all residential houses and homes light up their home yard with light from the lantern flame.

In ancient times, the people make lanterns with bamboo given axis, but now they use old drinks cans cut in half and then given a wick and kerosene.

The lantern is made as much as possible and mounted side by side in the yard by hanging on a wire or on a wooden pole.

Light the fire from the lantern illuminates not only the home page, but illuminate the streets, causing the atmosphere lively and beautiful eyes.

To appear more attractive, people also build arches and gates are made of wood in the streets and crossroads. The gate was built in the form of miniature mosques or minarets of mosques. At the gate was installed wires hanging lanterns that lit places at night.

Typically, the entire residential population on the island of Karimun tens of thousands of lanterns simultaneously lit on the night of 27th month of Ramadan. Night of the 27th night of Ramadan is believed to be Muslims as night Laylat al Qadr, the night an angel falling to earth to pray for the Muslims who perform religious fasting.

This year, the Department of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Karimun Regency to prepare cash of Rp36 million to the winner of the lantern festival.

Lantern festival winner is determined by assessment by a jury, any settlement that put the most beautiful and harmonious lantern will be set as the winner.

Head of Tourism, Arts and Culture Karimun Regency, Syuryaminsyah said, held the lantern festival aims to preserve local culture that are passed from generation to generation.

"The Lantern Festival is expected to become one of the attractions for foreign tourists,''he said.

With the lantern festival, a vibrant city atmosphere, residents around the city witnessed a red lantern light a fire in the main streets in Tanjung Balai Karimun and villages in the district. (kepri online daily)