Traditional Songkran and How to Survive the Madness
If there is one festival that has put Thailand on the international world map, it is definitely the Songkran celebration, Thai New Year. Occurring during the peak of Thailand’s summer in April, the traditional Songkran festival is one of Asia’s most exciting and refreshing water festivals during which revelers play with and splash water on each other. The festival runs for three consecutive days during which there are different activities carried out on each day.
If you are a first timer to the country during this festival, worry not! Below are some key pointers on the history of the festival, customs and tips on how best to survive the festival that you will find very helpful.
First of all, what is it? The name ‘Songkran’ is originally derived from a Sanskrit name meaning ‘approaching’ or ‘passing’ and it is one of the most important dates in the Buddhist calendar. The festival, which annually runs around mid April (mostly April 13th to 15th) is timed in order to coincide with the period the sun enters the sign of Aries. It is an annual public holiday in the whole of Thailand and goes on for 3 days.
History behind the Songkran Festival
Traditionally, the Songkran festival is celebrated to mark a new year in Thailand. Many people travel and return to their hometowns during this period in order to celebrate the festival together with their loved ones. A huge exodus is witnessed all over Thailand as a result of this.
The first day of this intriguing celebration is the National Elderly Day during which the Thai citizens pay their respects to all the elders. They also take part in a ritual known as the Rod Nam Dum Hua, which entails asking the older members of the community for their blessings and pouring fragrant and scented water on their palms.
During the second day of the festival, the Thai celebrate the National Family Day. This day is set aside for families to spend time together and bond with one another. On this day, families get up early and are expected to give alms to the monks in their cities before spending the rest of the day together. Moreover, several people partake in a ritual which involves washing the Buddha with scented water at the temple and at their homes. During their time together, families are involved in merit making activities and then take to the streets to take part in the fantastic communal water fights.
The nationwide water festivities continue into the third day of the celebrations. Despite the Songkran being seen by foreigners as just a water fight, the importance of the symbolism of water cannot be overemphasised. The water is symbolically seen as a way of washing away all the bad luck of the previous year and channeling positive energy for the new year.
Tips for surviving the madness
As a foreigner or a new tourist to Thailand during the festive season, you may at first be over-whelmed by the whole event and all the madness that comes with it. However, you will need to take a deep breath, relax and join in on the fun. Here are a few pointers that you will need to take note of in order to fit right in:
- Think twice about wearing white garments during this period. You are bound to get disappointed with all the mess going round. Simply slip on casual outfit like a t-shirt and shorts with swimwear underneath.
- If you are participating in the events, be careful not to throw icy water on people or water with chunks of ice in it.
- Avoid throwing water at people on moving bicycles or motorbikes to avoid unnecessary and avoidable accidents.
- Make sure that items such as phones, passports , wallets and any other gadgets are stored in waterproof bags and kept somewhere safe. You don’t want to have such items soaking wet, do you?
- Feel free to wear protective gear such as goggles to protect your eyes from water that will be poured on you.
- While driving around the city during the festivities, be careful and drive at a cautious speed as the roads may be slippery with all the water being poured everywhere.
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