What is Songkran?
Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year festival since the
former time. It is a celebration that embraces goodwill, love, compassion, and
thankfulness, using water as the means of expression.
The word Songkrann derives from Sanskrit meaning to move or
step forward. The first day of Songkran takes place when the sun moves from
Pisces into Aries, which marks the New Year’s Day according to the Brahmin
solar system.
Songkran Festival
The festival of Songkran fall on the 13th, 14th and 15th of
April every year. The first day is known as Maha Songkran or the grand
Songkran. The Thai government has declared Songkran festival as extended public
holidays to enable the people to return to their hometown for family
reunions,merit-making and renuiting with others in their community.
The 13th of April is also declared the Day of the
Senior or Elderly by the government. The occasion marks the appreciation for
the senior population for their years of contribution to the family and
country. The 14th of April is
designated as Family Day to celebrate family love and togetherness.
The importance of Songkran Festival
- Songkran is regarded as one of the most important traditions in Thailand because it encompasses the three major values in the Thai way of live which are:
- Value of family: Songkran is the time when family members come together to show appreciation, loveand respect as well as making merit and paying homage to their ancestors.
- Value of society: Through active participation and interaction with each other, Songkran brings the people in the community together to enhance goodwill and unity in the society.
- Value of religion: Making merit by offering food to monks. going to the temples and attending Buddhist sermons are auspicious activities done during Songkran.
Also read about the Legend of the Seven Songkran Goddesses...>
What to do during Songkran Festival
To celebrate Songkran, there are
many activities throughout Thailand which vary according to regional tradition.
Some of the activities iclude:
- Cleaning of houses and public plac as temples, schools, offices to welcome the New Year with cleanliness and fresh start.
- Merit making by offering alms to monks in dedication to the late ancestors, going to the temples to listen to Buddhist preaching.
- Releasing birds and fish back to their natural habitat is a common practice during Songkran. This act of giving freedom is a form of merit making.
- Sprinkling water onto Buddha images and monks is an auspicious act to receive blessings for the New Year.
- Building sand pagodas on temple ground. Bringing sand into the temple's premise is considered a merit because the sand can be used or reused for construction or restoration of the temple.
- Pouring water onto the elderly members of thefamily and/or the society to show respect and gratefulness and to askfor their blessing.
- Folk performances and traditional games are organised for enjoyment as well as to preserve the Songkran tradition.
- Throwing water at each otherin a friendly manner by using clean or scented water, exchanging New Year's greetings during water play, and in case of doubt, ask permission before throwing water at someone because he or she may not wish to get wet.
What NOT to do during Songkran
As water throwing has become
popular during Songkran, it is recommended that the following practice is
avoided:
- The use of dirty water, ice, mixture of dangerous items such as paint, dye and plant seeds, etc. may cause injuries to other people's eyes or other parts of their body.
- Throwing water at people who are riding on moving vehicles such as motorcycles, cars etc. may cause serious accidents.
- Using modified gadgets like PVC pump tube which produces high water pressure could cause serious injuries to others. Lewd acts such as applying powder paste on others' face, especially females, inappropriate physical contacts and touching are unacceptable.
- Too much alcohol consumption, especially in public places could cause annoyance and unrests. Moderate drinking with friends and families in one's own privacy is preferred.
- Driving after drinking can cause fatal road accidents every year.
- Building sand pagodas on temple ground. Bringing sand into the temple's premise is considered a merit because the sand can be used or reused for construction or restoration of the temple.
- Pouring water onto the elderly members of thefamily and/or the society to show respect and gratefulness and to askfor their blessing.
- Folk performances and traditional games are organised for enjoyment as well as to preserve the Songkran tradition.
