Songkran, or the Thai New Year, as it is commonly called, is a festival referred to as the water festival and is celebrated in Thailand during April 13th-15th. This celebration is one of the largest and most important ones in the nation and symbolizes the start of the traditional Thai calendar year. Songkran’s fame comes from its water fights that are often hailed as “the greatest water fight on earth”. Yet, it is not just about water fights; there are family reunions, trips to temples, cultural events, and honoring seniors which are part of it too.
History
Songkran, like other religious festivals, has its roots in ancient Hindu mythology and later it was absorbed into the religion of Buddhism. It comes from the Sanskrit word ‘sankranti’ which means astrological transition and is celebrated as a representation of the sun’s movement to a new sign. As time passed, this festival turned into a time of purification, rebirth, and revitalization. The custom of throwing water came out as an act of pouring water over Buddha statues for cleansing away sins and ill-luck.
Traditions
Revered as a special time of family reunion, Songkran invites individuals to come together from faraway places and be part of such affectionate gatherings. Meanwhile, people also take it as an opportunity to show their respect and receive blessings from elders. This is the chance to be morally good by offering food to monks, donating at temples. For religious activities, people also visit temples, where they pour water scented with perfumes on Buddha statues, and take blessings from monks.
The festivity of Songkran, apart from water play, also includes food. In Thailand, during the celebration, people enjoy traditional Thai dishes like pad thai, som tam, and tom yum goong. Not to mention that street vendors are offering a lot of delicacies, and many individuals would go to the market to buy all the necessary ingredients and then cook them at their own home. The consumption of certain dishes is peculiar for this occasion as well. For example, it’s hard to imagine Songkran without such typical desserts as Kanom Krok, Khanom Tom, and Khao Niew Mamuang.
Celebrations
The Songkran festival is one of the most popular festivals throughout Thailand, but there are some cities that are known to be even better places to celebrate it. One of these cities is Chiang Mai in northern Thailand where the festival goes on for a week. During this time, the city transforms into a giant party with parades, live music performances, and street vendors selling delicious traditional Thai cuisine. The celebration reaches its climax when on the last day thousands of people rush onto the streets armed with water guns and buckets engaging in an epic water battle.
A different preferred place for the Songkran festival is Bangkok. During this time, Khao San Road, which is also well-known throughout the city, turns into a water battle field with multitudes of people pouring pails of water at each other from guesthouses situated on the road. And one cannot forget to mention that it happens in Phuket, Pattaya, and Koh Samui as well.
Safety
Although the Songkran period is a festive season, it is equally crucial to ensure that everyone stays safe during the event. Even though water can be used at a good distance to clean and cool off or playfully spraying the shirt with a pink solution, this can be out of control and accidents may occur. It’s better to put on suitable clothes, including quick-drying clothes and grip-friendly shoes. Also, tourists should not spill water on motorbikes or individuals not involved in this activity as there are also riders who travel down those roads on bikes unaware of all those events too. Moreover, it is advised to avoid using motorcycles due to slippery roads caused by splashed water.
Summary
An incredible festival that brings the best of Thailand to you would be the Songkran Festival, and no matter whether you are on a solo trip, with your partner, or accompanied by kids, this is an excellent chance to delve into their heritage, the richness of their culture, and partake in a uniquely Thai experience.
