Songkran: The Water Festival- All you need to know

Water festival is a fun filled festival that is celebrated in various south Asian countries such as Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar etc. It is also celebrated by the Dai Community of China. This festival is celebrated on the occasion of Thai New year, and is generally celebrated during 13th to 15th April according to the Georgian calendar. Songkram was made famous as "Water festival" in west because of the custom of the festival of splashing or pouring water on each other. This was done as a cleansing ritual to welcome the new year, but eventually it turned into a fun and excitement filled with festivities for the people of South Asia.

Songkram is a Sanskrit word meaning passage of Sun from one Zodiac sign to another, or specifically, when the sun enters the zodiac sign of Aries. It is believed that during the water festival, older things must be thrown away, otherwise it would bring bad luck to the owner. The act of pondering water brings good luck and wishes.

Origin and History

The Songkran is very similar to the Indian Holi festival, Chinese Ching Ming, Christian Easter and some other festivals. In Thailand, people celebrated new year by sprinkling water over each other, signifying changes and goodness that new year might bring to their lives, and also cleaning up all the old evils, and prejudice from the minds, bringing happiness and goodness in the lives.

Traditions and Activities

The dates of the festival were traditionally chosen in olden times, according to their religious calendar, falling in the month of April. The month of April was also associated with heat and summer in South east Asia. So, people stared playing with water during the celebrations of Songkram. Along with water, colorful chalk powder is also used with water, which make the celebrations almost identical to Holi festival in India. People also use blessed water to clean the images and idols of Lord Buddha.

Along with peaceful plays, the custom of water fights is also prevalent and common. Thais walk down the streets with water guns, splash balls or containers of water and splash the water on whoever they encounter.

Although currency exchanges remain open, banks and other institutions remain closed during the festival. This festivals has different names in different countries, such as Peemai in Laos, Songkram of Peemai in Thailand, Thingyan in Myanmar etc.. Traditional dance, singing and cultural shows are performed together along with the festival. Religious activities are carried out in both "Pagoda" and "Monastries". Young pay respect to elders and get blessings from them during the festival.

Songkran: The Water Festival- All you need to know