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Penang is famous for its majestic holidays which are always accompanied with the brightest customs and rituals. Bright events have turned into genuine local landmark being of greatest interest for guests and attracting curious tourists from all over the world. The brightest ethnic fest is considered to be the Thaipusam Festival being dedicated to the Hindu idol Murugan. The Festival is held annually in January. The main events of the ethnic holiday take places on the premises of temples. The day of the Festival features unique rituals conducted by priests. Some rituals may seem rather cruel to foreign guests.
These rituals are the reason of banning of the festival in some oriental countries meanwhile in Penang and other regions of Malaysia the festival is still celebrated every year. The main holiday according to the Buddhist calendar is the Wesak Day. It is celebrated according to the lunar calendar that is why a date of its celebration varies each year. The custom of this day is visiting Buddha temples and making donations and sacrificial offerings.

The holiday is followed by another interesting custom. Local folks let thousands of pigeons free of cages. Flying skyward the pigeons symbolize Buddha on the way to nirvana. During a holiday week monks and priests of all Buddha temples tell visitors about life of Buddha. Central streets of the city witness bright marches and performances. At nightfall paper lanterns are installed at every temple of the city being the main symbols of enlightenment coming to our world.
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