Top 10 strange festivals

We all celebrate many festivals in a year that add joy to our lives. But, there are some festivals that are very unusual. In this article, you will come across top 10 strange festivals. So, when you visit the places where such festivals are celebrated the next time, make sure that you at least be a spectator of these zesty local festivities. Take your camera to capture some unusual scenes that might seem crazy to you.

The festival of crying baby

This is a Japanese festival called Konaki Sumo in which babies are picked up by the Sumo fighters. The lofty man holding the baby breaking down first is the winner. This is done on the belief that crying aids in faster growth of the babies. On this occasion, weeps and sobs is regarded as the blessing that ensures better health. It is obvious that the babies will cry by seeing these overweight males.

The festival of monkey buffet

As the name indicates, a big meal is offered to the apes of Lopburi in Thailand. A myriad of vegetables as well as fruits are given by the devotees in order to pay homage to the monkey God, Hanuman. After this, there is much chaos when the crowd of monkeys flock the site and start assaulting the food loads and meeting the spectators. Over the years, the festival has become more extravagant attracting more and more tourists.

The festival of near death experience

When you come to Spain, make sure you explore the bizarre Fiesta de Santa Marta de Ribarteme. In this festival, people who have come back from death are given importance. Celebrated in the Las Nieves town, the festival is dedicated to Santa Marta de Ribarteme who is the patron saint of renewal. A parade takes place wherein the fortunate survivors are made to sleep in the coffins and are taken to the graveyard flanking the church. More features are the offerings as well as thousand of blessings by the people.

The festival of goat tossing

This is one more Spanish festival that is considered quite odd. Celebrated on the fourth Sunday of every January in the town of Manganeses de la Polvorosa, the festival is dedicated to St Vincent de Paul. In this, a young man looks for a goat, seizes it, and brings the animal atop the belfry of the local Church. Then, the goat is tossed from a side from where it is dropped from a height of 50 feet and is thankfully caught by the locals. Such a risky tradition has received many unheard complaints.

The festival of baby jumping

I think Spain likes celebrating the events packed with oddities. This is one more festival of Spain celebrated in the hamlet of Castrillo de Murcia. At the time of Corpus Christi each year, small babies are made to rest on a mattress and devil costumed men jump over them to cleanse their sins and invite luck and healthy life. This is the height of a superstition! It is dangerous to do so if you attempt on your own.

The festival of rolling cheese

Celebrated annually in May at the Cooper Hill in the UK’s Gloucestershire, this festival includes an executive who performs the tossing of cheese from the deeply steep mount. After this, several people run down madly to seize the cheese. This is a dangerous event in which many casualties are reported each year. Thankfully, children cannot participate and for them, an uphill race is organized.

The festival of throwing food

This is also of Spain. The Ivrea orange festival includes throwing oranges in parades. There is also something called as the tomato-throwing fight at Bunol. Those who do not like food throwing, celebrate the festival by throwing paints, tar, and dead rats. This is absolutely weird!

The festival of Thaipusam

This is a Hindu festivity of the south Indian state of TamilNadu featuring prayers, chants, and feasts. It commemorates the birthday of Hindu deity, Murugan who is the son of Hindu deities – Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati. A strange turn occurs when the devotees allow piercing the face and skin via the skewers. This pain is to test the love and endurance for the lord.

The festival of throwing color

This is referred to as Holi observed in March wherein its main feature is using old clothes instead of the new ones. This is done purposely so that the people can freely throw color on each other. This festival is linked with Shree Krishna, a Hindu God known to be protector of truth and life. Dry colors and colored waters are spurted and it is more popular in North India.

The bonfires of Saint John

This Spanish festival is celebrated between June 19 to 24 wherein the bonfires are lit and are constantly fueled by adding old furniture into it. While watching, the locals have hot chocolate. The weirdest part is that the children run across these fires risking their life. This full week is observed by exploding fireworks. Some 86 ladies as well as 86 girls are chosen to be the Bonfire Beauties who are considered as Queens of the festival.

Do comment on these top 10 strange festivals.