The festival traces its origin to the Hindu festival of Dipawali which is celebrated in India. Originally, it was celebrated as a thanksgiving ceremony to River Ganges, however, the Buddhists of Thailand adapted the festival to honour Lord Buddha. The candle raft (Krathong) is floated in the water as a mark of respect to the Buddha. Also, the raft is believed to carry along with it all the sins, grievances and angst of the person floating it, thereby offering an opportunity to begin a new life in a much better manner. A number of people cut their fingernails and hair and put it in the raft as a symbol of breaking away with all negative aspects of oneself.