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. 

 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.

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

Harbin ice and snow sculptures festival is an International annual festival of all the cold things in Harbin, China. This festival demonstrates various ice sculptures created by various participants came from all around the world. Some of these sculptures such as Niagra falls sculpture even hold the Guinness world record for the largest sculpture ever, with more than 250 meters long  and about 8.5 meters high. This festival officially starts from January 5 each year and lasts for about a month. This festival was first organized in 1963. 

The festival is organized into different themes each year, such as "Olympic  theme", "Prosperous China", "The Great wall of China", "Pyramids", "Castles", "Terra-Cotta warriors" and many other themes in the past years. There are also various activities held during the festivals for tourists, such as ice skating, skiing, and winter swimming etc.. The exhibition is organized in various parks and gardens, the main ones being Sun Island and Ice and Snow world. These parks are rebuild into newly designed ice buildings displaying the talents of various artists from around the world.

Carnivale of Italy is one of the most colorful celebrations around the world. This world famous carnival is famous for it's decorative and creative masks. This festival is also celebrated internationally. Carnival of New Orleans, Rio, Notting hill are some of the examples. This festival continues upto the Christian festival of Lent, fourty days before Easter.

It is widely believed that the carnival of Venice started with the victory of Venice republic against the Patriarch Ulrich II won traven of Aquileia in the year 1162. In the celebration of this grand victory, people started dancing and enjoying the celebrations, and gathered at San Marco Square, also known toady as "Pizza San Marco". Some experts believe that the carnivale originated from the Latin word "carnem levare", meaning taking away meat. This name was adopted because carnivale ends with Lent, the day of fasting, in which people stopped eating meat. It was the day of Ash Wednesday.

Although the carnivale history is not a simple one, this festival was believed to be influenced by various practices of Greek and Roman cultures. Some people also believed the festival accounted for the oncoming of spring, where people would paint their faces and bodies for traditional chanting and dancing in unison. 

During the eighteenth century, the baroque carnival, which formed a prestigious image of Venice in the world, became increasingly popular. However, masks, along with the festival became forbidden after 1797 during the rule of Fransis II, an Austrian Emperor. he rebirth of the festival along with old masquerade tradition took place in 1979.  Since 1979, the festival became immensely popular, attracting more than 3 million visitors every year to Venice for the carnival.

Due to class hierarchies in Europe, some of the Veterans used to cover their faces with mystical masques, which was considered as an unique veteran response to the class hierarchy. There were evidences of these masks being used during the 13th century. Since the laws allowed anyone to come to the carnival in any dress, or style, the Veterans visited the carnival with their unique masques. This lead to gain in interests of people visiting the carnival, and masquerades became "a thing to observe". Today, these masques are much more decorated. 

Along with masques, Carnivale is also famous for it's food, feasting and dancing. Various dances are organized in the carnival attracting several visitors. Unique Venetian food is another "mandatory" to be done while in the carnival.

The Carnevale celebration in Italy

Holi, a festival of celebration, happiness and playfulness is known for it's great connecting nature, connecting people of all the religions, caste, color, creed and walks of life together into playfulness and life. People wish each other happy Holi to enhance their relationships with their friends, family, or acquaintances. In this article you will get some of the best quotes, greetings and wishes to send to your friends and family this Holi.

1. May God point the canvas of your life with the colors of Joy, Prosperity, Success and Happiness. Wishing you a very Happy Holi.

2. May your life brighten up with all that you deserve. A very happy Holi to you!

3. Wishing you good health and prosperity. May God shower his blessings on you on this auspicious occasion of Holi.

4. Life is a colorful festival, especially with a friend like you! Wishing you a very happy Holi!

5. With a spirit of togetherness and familiarity, wishing you and your family a very happy Holi!

6. Happiness is when you see brightness even in darkness, keeping on walking the colorful journey to uncover the best color in you! Happy Holi!

7. You are so beautiful, i wish to apply more colors on you to make you more beautiful this holi!

8.  Play wish the colors of love and happiness sent from heaven to make your life a colorful heaven on earth. A very happy holi to you!

9. I will never forgive you this Holi, planning to take a revenge on you with colors and showers. See you soon! Happy holi!

10.  May the colors of Holi make your life as colorful and joyful as they are. Happy holi to you!

1. " Paint the canvas of your life with your favorite color."

2. " Holi is the day to express love and colors. It's a time to show affection of colors and life blend together "

3. " Dipped in the hues of love and enthusiasm comes the festivities of Holi "

4. " Make the colors of holi merry and your life warm
Hope to see your life colorful, wishing you happy holi in advance.. "

5. " Holi is the time to de-stress yourself and fill your mind with peace, energy and freshness.."

6.  " Best wishes to you for a sweet and colorful holi, to cherish you for long "

7. " On this Joyous day,
sending you my warm wishes
May fun filled joyous colors
fill you with amusement and kiss "

8. " Holi is a special time of the year to remember those who are close to our hearts with splashing colors"

9. " Filled with hues of energy and emotions comes the festival of Holi "

10. " Let the colors of Holi spread the messages of peace, life and happiness "

Happy Holi greeting cards

The festival of Holi is unique and has it's own charm and prestige. The origin of this festival dates back to various Hindu legends such as Krishna legend and Vishnu legend. This festival is also known as Festival of Colors, Festival of Love or Festival of Spring. This festival usually occurs during the Bavarian months of March-April. In the Hindu Vikram Savant calendar, it occurs on the first full moon day of Phalgun, lasting about 1 and half days. 

This festival of colors and energy removes all the differences between people of any religion, caste, color or creed, and helps to bring unity among different religions.

Date: 9th March, 2020

Holika Dahan timings: 18:50 to 21:00 PM, 9th March, 2020

Color/Rangwali Holi: 10th March, 2020

Purnima tithi beginning: 03:03 A.M, 9th March, 2020

Purnima tithi end: 23:16 P.M, 10th March, 2020

This festival remarks the huge energy, happiness and liveliness, with thousands of people playing holi together with each other, summoning huge happiness and life. This great festival is celebrated in India, Nepal and other countries throughout the world. The festivities of holi along with the famous "Bhang", a special drink made of cannabis, powerful enough to intoxicate people. Other holi delicacies are also prepared along with drinks in the houses prior to the festival. After holi, people visit each other's houses and greet them, laughs and delicacies, food and drinks, and spend some time together. It is an important spring festival of Hindu religion. Read more about Holi here

Holi date 2020- When is holi in 2020?