What does the festival celebrate Songkran? What is Songkran? Songkran is Thailand’s most famous festival. An important event on the Buddhist calendar, this water festival marks the beginning of the traditional Thai New Year. The name Songkran comes from a Sanskrit word meaning ‘passing’ or ‘approaching’.
Why do people throw water at each other during Songkran? In addition to visiting local temples, people flock to the streets to take part in wide-ranging water fights. The throwing of water has traditionally been a sign of respect and well-wishing, as revelers hope to wash away bad luck.
What food is eaten during Songkran?
So what to eat during Songkran?
- Khao Chae. Khao Chae is a seasonal royal dish made up of cooked rice cooled in flower-scented water with various condiments.
- Mango Sticky Rice. Mango Sticky Rice is the infamous Thai dessert loved by all.
- Thai Margarita.
- Pad Kee Mao Talay.
- Prawn Pad Thai.
What are symbols in Songkran? Water has always been an important symbol for the holiday, representing the cleansing necessary to shift into the new year. As this symbol of renewal, people would splash water on images of Buddha and elderly people would have water splashed on them by their younger family members as a sign of respect.
What does the festival celebrate Songkran? – Additional Questions
How do you say Happy Songkran?
To wish someone a happy Songkran day, you can use the same pattern:
- Happy Songkran! สวัสดีวันสงกรานต์ sà-wàt-dee bpee mài.
- Happy Songkran! สุขสันต์วันสงกรานต์ sùk wan sŏng-graan.
What does water symbolize in Songkran?
Water is used as a symbol to cleanse the person from all of the past year’s misfortunes. When they are cleansed, they are ready to welcome the new year clean and fresh. The Thai New Year, called Songkran, is celebrated from April 13 to 15 each year.
Who started Songkran and why?
The celebration of Songkran itself originates from a Buddhist story. Legend has it that Kadilla Brahmā—a Buddhist God—lost a challenge with a child. Since he lost the bet with the child, he had to cut off his head, but instead, the god left his head with his seven daughters.
What is Songkran called in English?
Songkran – also known as the Water Splashing Festival – is a celebration to mark the start of the Buddhist New Year. Buddha images are bathed, and younger Thais show respect to monks and elders by sprinkled water over their hands.
Which countries celebrate Songkran?
Songkran is a term derived from the Sanskrit word, saṅkrānti (or, more specifically, meṣa saṅkrānti) and used to refer to the traditional New Year celebrated in Bangladesh, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, parts of northeast India, parts of Vietnam and Xishuangbanna, China.
Is Songkran celebrated all over Thailand?
The festival symbolises new beginnings, love, compassion and thankfulness and uses water as a means of spreading joy. During this New Year celebration, everyone — from children to their grandparents — can be seen enjoying and taking part in the events throughout Thailand. The word Songkran is derived from Sanskrit.
How long does Songkran last?
Songkran is on 13 April every year, but the holiday period extends from 14 to 15 April. In 2018 the Thai cabinet extended the festival nationwide to five days, 12–16 April, to enable citizens to travel home for the holiday.
Songkran (Thailand)
| Songkran |
| Date |
April 13 |
| Frequency |
Annual |
| Related to |
South and Southeast Asian solar New Year |
Is Songkran Cancelled 2022?
Songkran 2022 – Covid restrictions
Likely, Songkran will be a more sedate and traditional holiday this year with foam parties banned and “traditional water sprinkling” allowed. For more details, please see the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Songkran updates.
Where can I celebrate Songkran 2022?
The “Iconic Songkran Festival 2022” is taking place from April 8 – 17 at IconSiam in Bangkok. The festivities will include Song Nam Phra and Rot Nam Dam which are rituals to pay respect to elders.
Why is Songkran in April?
It describes the monthly movement or ‘astrological passage’ within the zodiac from one sphere to the next; in April the sun leaves the sphere of Aries and enters that of Taurus, a period known as Maha Songkran or the Great Songkran. This signifies the start of the Thai New Year.
Who created the water festival?
Cambodian Water Festival was first celebrated in the 12th century, around the time of Angkorian King Jayavarman VII. The King’s Navy helped usher in the Cambodian fishing season. The festivities made the gods happy and secured good harvests of rice and fish in the upcoming year.
What should I wear for Thailand new year?
Clothing-wise, men should wear swimming shorts and a t-shirt, while girls can wear swimsuits underneath shorts and a shirt. The Songkran festival, or Thai New Year is a celebration not to be missed and one in which may require a raincoat and a water gun!
What should you not do in Songkran?
Respect monks, elderly and babies
Splashing water is great but never do it to monks, elderly people or babies. This is a big no-no, and if you end up doing it by mistake, apologize straight away!
What should I bring to Songkran?
These tips can make your tour of Thailand best during the festival of Songkran.
- Numbers of outfits requires for a day.
- Get waterproof shoes with you.
- Get a swimsuit or the clothes that can be dried easily.
- Woman outfit styles for celebrations of Songkran.
- Waterproof necklace or money case.
- Take a waterproof camera with you.
What do you do on the first day of Songkran?
Traditionally, Thais perform the Rod Nam Dum Hua ritual on the first day of Songkran, the National Elderly Day. During this ritual, young people pour fragrant water into their elders’ palms as a gesture of humility and to ask for their blessings. The second day of Songkran is National Family Day.
How is Songkran celebrated at home?
Visitors sprinkle clean or scented water over statues of Buddha—the person believed to have started Buddhism—to represent purification and good fortune. Younger people also pour water on the hands of elderly relatives and friends to show their respect and ask for blessings in the coming year.
What activities do we do on Songkran?
Top Things to Do During Songkran in Bangkok, Thailand
- Join the water fight on Khao San Road.
- Make a splash at Silom Road.
- Have fun at Siam Square.
- Watch traditional performances at Sanam Luang.
- Visit sacred temples.
- Cool down at a pool party.
- Escape the crowds in the malls.
- Party hard at RCA.
