Search engine Google has made a doodle for the Dragon boat festival which takes place in China. It is a traditional festival which originates in China around the summer solstice. Also known as Duanwu Jie, it begins on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. This event is so famous that it has been on UNESCO’s list representing the intangible cultural heritage of humanity. This year it starts from June 7, 2019 and goes on for three days till June 9. This festival is known by different names in different areas and languages. Kerala Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2018: Origin, History & Other Facts About the Spectacular Event in Alleppey.

The Google doodle shows drummers on dragon-shaped boats, which is one of the major traditions marking this festival. There is a boat race that takes place and rowers decorate their boats with dragon heads, eyes painted on them which is supposed to "bring the boat to life." A drummer sits in front of each boat to help the rowers in unison. These racing boats are made of teak wood and are up to 100 feet in length. At a time they accommodate upto 80 rowers. There need to be 30-60 people to paddle together. Onam 2018: Boat Race, Tiger Dance And Other Cultural Attractions of Kerala During Onam.

The practice of racing boats has its origin from ancient stories. It is said that people rowed on China's Miluo River to try and rescue the ancient poet Qu Yuan from drowning during the third century BC. Families prepare well in advance by cleaning their homes and property. Other traditional customs of the festival include eating sticky rice dumplings wrapped in lotus leaves called zongzi. People across Asia celebrating this festival and have a holiday for the weekend. China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau, Singapore will see the celebrations of this Dragon boat festival.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 07, 2019 03:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).