Songkran is the traditional New Year of Thailand. The holiday Songkran is celebrated every year from April 13th to 15th. Originally the term Songkran is a Sanskrit word and refers to the transition of the sun from one sign of the zodiac to the next.
The festivities of the Songkran are very extensive, and many traditions are kept. And every ritual are celebrated and performed on different days. So, the Songkran Thai people ring in on the evening of April 12th cleaning their homes. The next day is dedicated to the family and so everybody gets together in the morning in the Wats and sets down offerings such as rice, fruits and other food. Later in the afternoon the Buddha figures and heads of the facilities are bathed. This tradition provides that you water the statues. So, they should be cleansed of all the misfortunes of the past year.
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Respect for Old Age and Wisdom
In many cities a ceremony takes place in which the statues are driven through the city, so other believers can also “bathe” them. On the holidays of the Songkran festival it is common for the younger family members to go to the older generation and pour water over their hands. This tradition shows respect for old age and wisdom and should also ensure that the bad luck of the past year is washed away. Into the water jasmine flowers are inserted, so that the water smells pleasant.
Another ritual to Songkran is building small sand pyramids in the courtyards of the temples. Believers carry small amounts of sand on the square and these then form small pyramids, which are then decorated by the Thai with colorful flags. This custom serve to bring the dust, which the religious have carried on their feet out of the temples after praying, back to their origin.
In general, on a trip to Songkran, you can see very well how much cleaning and tidying is done all over the country at the time of the purge and renewal. In the larger cities, you can even experience veritable parades. The people drive on cars through the city and pour the water for cleaning during water battles over everything and everyone. So, it can easily happen to you as a tourist that you are sprayed wet. But you may be happy about a few water splashes, the locals show their respect with this gesture.
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Sogkran a Festival for Southeast Asia
The neighboring countries of Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar celebrate the New Year’s festival with similar traditions and rites, but each country has its own name for its Songkran. If you would like to experience these unique festivities yourself, we are happy to help you with your travel planning for Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.
We would be happy to advise you personally: