What is Songkran known as?
What is Songkran known as?
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.
Where does Songkran take place?
Songkran (Thailand)
| Songkran | |
|---|---|
| Official name | Songkran Festival |
| Observed by | Thai and Malaysian Siamese |
| Significance | Marks the Thai New Year |
| Begins | 13 April |
Is Songkran a Chinese festival?
Songkran – or the “water splashing festival” – is Thailand’s New Year. Thais used to set their New Year by the lunar calendar as in many other Asian cultures, including Chinese. But today it has a fixed date – from April 13 to 15. It is a spring festival, like Lunar New Year.
What is the origin of Songkran?
The festival is said to have its origins in a Hindu spring festival that marked the arrival of the new harvest season in ancient India. While other Southeast Asian countries celebrate a similar traditional new year holiday, Thailand’s Songkran is the most well-known around the world.
Is Songkran a religious festival?
Songkran is a religious festival with two aspects that are particularly important: the family, that has first priority, and the century-old ceremonies taking place in the temples. During the Songkran festivities, young people pay tribute to the older ones, parents as well as grandparents.
What makes Songkran unique?
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’.
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 do you say at Songkran?
To wish someone a happy Songkran day, you can use the same pattern: Either of these work: Happy Songkran! Happy Songkran!
What happens during Songkran?
Outside, Songkran is celebrated with street parties featuring loud music and a giant friendly water fight. People collect water in buckets, squirt guns, and anything else they can find, then hit the streets to playfully splash each other. It’s a good thing April is one of the hottest months of the year in Thailand!
What happens at Songkran?
The Thai capital celebrates with the Bangkok Songkran Splendours Festival which takes place from April 13th to 15th. Events during the festival include water throwing, the ritual bathing of Buddha images, processions and performances. A tempting array of traditional foods are enjoyed throughout the celebrations.
What happens during the Songkran festival?
Where does the term Songkran come from in India?
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 Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, parts of northeast India, parts of Vietnam and Xishuangbanna, China.
Why is Songkran the most important festival in Thailand?
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’. 2. When is Songkran Festival?
Why does Songkran fall on a different day each year?
Before 1989, Songkran fell on a different day in April each year as a result of following the traditional Buddhist calendar. After 1989, the official dates for Songkran were set according to the western-based Gregorian calendar. Since then, the Songkran festival has been an all month affair.
Where is the best place to celebrate Songkran?
Water-Sprinkling Festival, in Xishuangbanna in China and parts of northern Vietnam. Songkran celebrations are held in many parts of the country. One of the most notable celebrations is at the Wat Pa Buddharangsee Buddhist Temple in the Sydney suburb of Leumeah, New South Wales.