Naga fireballs - a phenomenon of the Mekong River that has not been solved by scientists
Naga fireballs, also called "Mekong lights" and "ghost lights", are a phenomenon that can be seen over the Mekong River, which separates East and Southeast Asia. Thousands of people watch how luminous spheres rise directly from the water into the air at 100-200 meters. Having reached the highest point of their flight, they simply disappear. Nagi balls can be the size of small glitter or a basketball.
The appearance of balls is always a mass phenomenon. True, several dozen or several hundred objects can appear overnight. Locals call the fireballs phaya-naku and believe that they are released by the evil Naga creatures that live in the Mekong. They look like large humans, but with a snake-like lower body.
The phenomenal phenomenon can be seen at different times, but most often the flight of balloons is associated with the Wang Ok Phansa holiday. He ends his Buddhist fast at the end of October. On this day, in the late afternoon, on the Mekong you can see many boats decorated with flowers and lanterns, filled with offerings. The most common item on the boat is chaot, a sweet dish of glutinous rice wrapped in banana leaves.
Boats float on the river all night. This symbolizes getting rid of the negativity of life and the fulfillment of cherished desires. Additionally, glowing paper lanterns are launched into the sky. Yes, it is impossible to confuse them with the lights of Naga, because they differ in size, speed and brightness of the glow.
Fireballs do not appear along the entire Mekong River, which is considered the 12th longest in the world. This phenomenon can only be seen over a 250 km stretch in Thailand and Laos. Sometimes you can hear that the phenomenon has been seen in other rivers, lakes and even small ponds in the region. But this information, as a rule, is not confirmed. But there are a huge number of photos and videos from the Mekong, as well as many eyewitness accounts.
Not everyone believes in the magical origin of “ghost lights.” Thai biologist Jessada Denduangboripant also denies their relationship to nature. He is sure that the glowing lights in the photos and videos are the results of shots from rocket launchers. In Southeast Asia, fireworks are very popular, and especially on the Wang Ok Phansa holiday, when they are pleasing to the deities.
Many believe that the balls are emissions of flammable phosphine gas formed in swampy environments. But scientists do not know why the gas ignites and its outbreaks move along a vertical trajectory for a long time. Adding to the mystery is the fact that the spheres appear without sound, do not emit a smell and do not leave behind smoke. There is even an opinion that this is simply a light phenomenon, completely intangible.
Be that as it may, Naga's fireballs are a popular tourist attraction. Travel agencies arrange special tours for those wishing to see the phenomenon.