Songkran Festival or Thai New year is so much fun!!!

Hello Readers,

         Do you know how fun of the water festival in Thailand? Also, it used to be a Thai New’s Year from 13 th- 16 th April. Songkran falls in the hottest time of the year in Thailand. The traditional Thai New Year has been a national holiday since then. We call  “Songkran Day”. Thai has traditionally been celebrated as the New Year for many centuries, and is believed to have been adapted from an Indian festival. It is now observed nationwide, even in the far south. However, the most famous Songkran celebrations are still in the northern city of Chiang Mai, where it continues for six days and even longer. It has also become a party for foreigners and an additional reason for many to visit Thailand for immersion in another culture.

         The most obvious celebration of Songkran is the throwing of water. Thais roam the streets with containers of water or water guns, or post themselves at the side of roads with a garden hose and drench each other and passersby. This, however, was not always the main activity of this festival. Songkran was traditionally a time to visit and pay respects to elders, including family members, friends and neighbors.

         Besides the throwing of water, people celebrating Songkran may also go to a temple(Buddhist monastery) to pray and give food to monks. They may also cleanse Buddha images from household shrines as well as Buddha images at monasteries by gently pouring water mixed with a Thai fragrance over them. It is believed that doing this will bring good luck and prosperity for the New Year.

         Nowadays, the emphasis is on fun and water throwing rather than on the festival's spiritual and religious aspects

Songkran still continue to be a famous festival in Thailand.