Songkran —Thai New Year (13/04)

Songkran (Thai). งกราน์) — Thai New Year. As in other countries of the East, Thailand celebrates both the European New Year on January 1 and the national New Year — Songkran. Songkran celebrations continue for several days. Officially, Songkran is celebrated in Thailand from April 13 to 15, but in some cities the date of celebration varies from April 11 to 18.

Local residents call the holiday Van Songkran, which literally translates as moving from one place to another. The Thai calendar consists of twelve cycles, each of which is dedicated to a specific animal, giving the year one or another feature.

Thais (especially children) take to the streets, taking with them a couple of buckets of water, and with the words «Sawasdee pi mai!» (Happy New Year!) they water everyone they meet and paint each other with talcum powder. Water, symbolizing the essence of all living things, is sprayed everywhere, it should bring grace to everyone gifted with blessed moisture.

If a smiling Thai man pours water on your back and shoulders, it means he wishes you happiness. However, adults also have full fun. For example, in Changmai, water is poured directly from a fortress moat in the city center, pumping it from pumps. It won't seem like much! Especially before the celebration, this ditch is cleaned to make the water cleaner.

Previously, it was customary in Songkran to walk the streets with a bowl of water and sprinkle a couple of drops on everyone you meet. Now everyone is watered with water pistols, buckets and irrigation hoses.

Water, symbolizing the essence of all living things, is sprayed everywhere (Photo: © buchachon_photo /Photobank Photojenica)

However, this holiday is not limited to the tradition of dousing with water. Historically, Songkran — is a celebration of love and respect, a day that Thais strive to celebrate with the whole family. Songkran's morning begins with a trip to the temple, where the monks are presented with pre-prepared, exquisite home treats, thereby emphasizing their reverence for them as teachers and mentors.

After returning from the temple, the time comes for the second part of the New Year's ceremony — washing the family Buddha figurine with clean water with rose and jasmine petals. Water is then poured onto their hands as a sign of respect for the older family members. After this ceremony, the family sits down at the festive table to enjoy the festive meal.

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