As the sun went down over the city, more than 4000 lanterns were set off into the air, transforming the night sky into something out of a fairytale.
The Lumina Lantern Festival at Gachibowli Stadium on Saturday celebrated greater causes concerning the city and India, such as the girl child and the environment.
Having originated in the Qin Dynasty, which was sometime post-200 BC, in China, the Lantern Festival or Yuánxiāojié marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations. There’s a belief the festival also marks the birth of Daoist god of fortune Tianguan, so did the Lumina leg of the festival prosper as per this adage?
The start of the event began with enough pomp and bass to ring up collective excitement amongst the crowds of nearly 5000 people. Most of them making up Generation Z, it was clear the consciousness of the causes spoke plenty of volumes to them.
However, what pushed the event was the wider and very much present conversation around environmental clean-ups.
The full proceeds from the event went towards the aggrandisement of Bhoomi Foundation, an organisation that leans into giving face-lifts to the city through vibrant artwork on gaping walls and fixer-uppers to corners like bus stands.
Off we go...
When it came time to set off the lanterns, that were brought firom Bengaluru, into the sky, a meaningful hush came over the crowds. In some Chinese customs, the Lantern Festival brought men and women together for the sake of relationships, but obviously, as time went on, various traditions were implemented. It was clear people united to form relationships and a silent pact for the sake of the causes at hand.
So when these lanterns were set off, where do they go? After all, over 4000 lanterns wafting off into the horizon is a concern for city-folk and the GHMC. Prior to the event, clean-ups were promised and organised so there’s a chance you may not see too many laying about.
However, there are concerns that paper lanterns are still a fire hazard as well as a drop-down trouble for people in the area. Though, according to organisers, the lanterns and the foundational structures are usually made of biodegradable materials like paper for the cover and bamboo for the ring.
The fuel source, which is a combustible waxy substance, in each lantern burns for approximately eight to ten minutes – not enough for them to drift off to a location or neighbourhood further than the stadium grounds, which are conveniently located nowhere near a neighbourhood or apartment complex — unlike past lantern festivals which were organised in city centres where the risks of drop-downs are far higher. In ideal weather conditions, sky lanterns will easily reach heights of over 1000 feet.
Knowing the potential mess and danger to animals and people that these thousands of lanterns would bring, hundreds of eager volunteers set to work after the event closed its doors to the public, proving there’s no end to service learning for the young.