Magic Planet Earth

My Scholarship entry - Yanshui Beehive Fireworks

TAIWAN | Tuesday, 2 July 2013 | Views [395]

During the event, several processions with goddesses in vividly decorated palanquins make their way on pre assigned routes through the jammed streets. The God's are carried around town to bless the sponsor and location of a particular 'beehive rack' in the belief that it will strengthen the force of the fireworks to get rid of negative energy like illness. On the way they pass the hills of fire crackers, that's when they start to shake the palanquins wildly in all directions.

It is said that the Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival originates from a cholera epidemic which broke out in the late 19th century and lasted for more than twenty years. In order to drive out the evil spirits and ward off the disease, the survivors invited the spirit of Kuan Kung, the Chinese god of war.The event takes place every year during the chinese new year, when huge crowds enter the smal town of Yangshui to celebrate what I call the biggest ongoing firework show on earth. From dusk till dawn, thousands of fireworks are shot mostly horizontal trough the peaked alleys. As mentioned, while it has its roots in driving away evil spirits that depress the locals, it has evolved into an explosive event of the

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Some people prefer to keep a safe distance away from the happenings which is rated as one of the top 5 most dangerous festivals on earth. The explosions, smoke, noise and the hordes of unruly people indeed make it a highly hazardous place to be.

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Magic Planet Earth

My Scholarship entry - Yanshui Beehive Fireworks

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