The Thai New Year
Songkran is known as "the Water Festival"
Thais believe that water will wash away bad luck, and spend the day liberally splashing water on each other.
Songkran actually begins on April 13, the end of the old year, and concludes on the 15th, the first day of the New Year.
Three Days of Songkran
For Thais, Songkran is a time for purification – houses are cleaned and Buddha statues washed, while younger folk pay their respects to their seniors by respectfully pouring scented water on their hands.
This tradition washes away bad thoughts and actions, especially when words of blessing are uttered.
On the first day of Songkran, Wan Sungkharn Long, Thais visit Buddhist temples to make merit: they give alms and food to monks. Thais also clean out their houses, sweeping out the old to prepare for the year to come.
On the second day, Wan Nao, Thais carry sand into the temple grounds and build small pagodas called chedis to make merit. The temples in their turn bring out
The third day, Wan Payawan, is the official first day of the New Year. Images of the Buddha are washed with scented water… and on the streets, the fun really begins.
Songkran is known as "the Water Festival"
Thais believe that water will wash away bad luck, and spend the day liberally splashing water on each other.
Songkran actually begins on April 13, the end of the old year, and concludes on the 15th, the first day of the New Year.
Three Days of Songkran
For Thais, Songkran is a time for purification – houses are cleaned and Buddha statues washed, while younger folk pay their respects to their seniors by respectfully pouring scented water on their hands.
This tradition washes away bad thoughts and actions, especially when words of blessing are uttered.
On the first day of Songkran, Wan Sungkharn Long, Thais visit Buddhist temples to make merit: they give alms and food to monks. Thais also clean out their houses, sweeping out the old to prepare for the year to come.
On the second day, Wan Nao, Thais carry sand into the temple grounds and build small pagodas called chedis to make merit. The temples in their turn bring out
The third day, Wan Payawan, is the official first day of the New Year. Images of the Buddha are washed with scented water… and on the streets, the fun really begins.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.