Songkran Festival in Thailand

Songkran is celebrated as a traditional new year in Thailand. If true people say the date for this particular festival is originally set by astrological calculations however now the dates are fixed and people in Thailand celebrate it  from 13 – 15th April every year. If in any case these dates falls on weekends than they declare a national holiday on the following weekdays. Probably this would be true for we are getting holiday even on Monday although Songkran ends by 15th Sunday. 

Songkran is celebrated in many different ways, for some people it is a time to visit temples and monasteries offering prayers to Buddha, offering food, clothing and other stuff to monks while some of them cleanse the statues of Buddha by gently pouring water mixed with Thai fragrance. Many have believed that by doing so, they will be blessed with peace and prosperity to the New Year and bring good luck.

What so ever the most fun and obvious celebration of Songkran is splashing of water. Some people load containers of water in their cars holding water guns in their hand and roam the street, while some people post themselves at the road side and drench the people who travel by two wheeler  and Tuk Tuk, of course not to mention the pedestrians. In some cases they even stop the cars and do not let it go until and unless the passengers are fully soaked.

The throwing of water originated as a way to pay respect to people, by accumulating the water after it had been poured over the Buddha statues and images for cleansing and then using this "blessed" water to give good fortune to elders and family by gently pouring it on the shoulder. Upon asking some of the water fighters on the street they say with laughter “April month is very very hot, so we try to keep the people cool by throwing water at them”. By saying so they burst out into laughter and drenched me. “It was amusingly pleasuring especially while wetting the hot chicks” says one of my comrades. 

This however was not always the main activity, for some people it is a time to visit and pay respects to elders, including family members, friends, neighbors, and monks. The Youngers lean at their knees and vow to the elders while the elder gives advices and wishes for success and glory. This in particular was really impressive and appreciable for me.

Some people make New Year resolutions - to refrain from bad behavior, or to do good things. Songkran is a time for cleaning and renewal. Besides washing household Buddha images, many Thais also take this opportunity to give their home a thorough cleaning. The water is meant as a symbol of washing all of the bad away and is sometimes filled with fragrant herbs when celebrated in the traditional manner.

Bye bye Songkran 2012....