The Songkran Festival is a national holiday in Thailand. The word Songkran is derived from the Sanskrit work samkranti, which means astrological passage. It is a traditional Buddhist festival, The Songkran festival is the traditional Thai New Year's Day and is celebrated from 13 April to 15 April.
Additional public holidays may be declared by the government depending on which days of the week the days of Songkran fall on.
THE TOP 6 TRADITIONAL ACTIVITIES
IN SONGKRAN FESTIVAL
- Almsgiving and Merit making
Just like any other Thai Buddhist festivals. This Thai traditional New Year begins with early morning merit-making and almsgiving to gain happiness and to start the year peacefully and happily.
- Sprinkling scented water on Buddha statues and monks
Sprinkling scented water on Buddha statues and monks is considered an iconic ritual for Songkran Festival. The water symbolizes cleansing, refreshment of the spirit and all good things associated with life.
- Releasing birds and fish
“Merit Releases” is a Buddhist ritual where people releasing captive wild animals back to the nature as a symbol of compassion. It’s often be done by Thai Buddhists as an act of saving life to start the New Year peacefully. This act can be done anywhere inside or outside the temple.
- Forming sand chedis or pagodas
Forming sand chedis or pagodas is the tradition for Thai Buddhists to take sand to their local temple for the intention of forming pagodas and decorate their creation with pennants or flags. This activity can be done any day between April 13-15. This act is a symbolic way of replacing any soil or sand that may have been removed unwittingly on the shoes of temple visitors as they have left the temple grounds on their previous trips during the year. It is a form of making merit and also a fun activity to do during the festival.
- Pouring water over the palms of elders’ hands for blessing
As a way to show respect, younger people often practice water pouring over the palms of reverend elders’ hands and ask for blessing. This activity represents purification and washing away all of the sins and bad luck. While pouring the water, people utter good wishes and words of blessing for the New Year.
- Water Splashing/ Water Fighting
Water splashing is an iconic traditional activity in Songkran Festival. The water as part of the event symbolizes “cleansing” or “rejuvenating”. Thai Buddhists joyfully splash water on each other to wash all the misfortunes and struggles in the previous year as well as to refresh everything for the brand new year. The water usually mixed with Thai white powder, called “Din Sor Pong” and Thai fragrance, called “Nam Op Thai”.
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