Songkran in Thailand.
The Songkran festival, pronounced ‘ Son. kra. N ‘ from the sanskrit word ‘Somkranti ‘ is celebrated in Thailand as the traditional new years day from the 13 to the 15 of April.
The traditional splashing of water on someone or revelers is meant as washing all the bad away.Traditions from past history regarding Songkran, starts the day at the temples or Wats. Prayers , offerings of flowers ‘ Lotus ‘ and being blessed by the High Priest will start the festival. This follows the rituals and traditions at each homes where the prayer alter is adorn with scented water in small containers, flower petals, joss sticks to burn and small statues with the images of The Lord Budha.
The elders from each family will say their prayers facing the alter and joss sticks lighted . The children will then sprinkle the scented water on the faces of each of the elders while being seated , their feet will be washed by their children as a sign of respect and Love. Scented, colored talcum powder paste will be lightly smeared on the faces of each person after the riruals are completed.
Thailand with a population of 65 million people and the primary religion being Buddhism ,celebrates Songkran in the grandest possible way, with most cities from the North in Chiang Mai right down to the South in Songkhla Province .It is an event where tourist, having heard from travelers worldwide, will converge on the city of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui and Hat Yai , to participate in the splashing of water, smearing scented colored powder paste, dancing at pre arranged roads to usher in Songkran. The streets are lined with large water containers in front of each house, shops, cafes and clubs. The particular roads and streets are decorated with colorful flags and high platform stage for live bands to perform. Speakers blared with techno music and the revelers starts to move into the street armed with water guns, pistols, water Bazookas etc. Peddlers and vendors have a brisk time selling the water guns of all sizes and colors. Tables with packets of colored powders for sale and not forgetting the food and drink vendors. It is an alley where there is no turning back once you get into it for the amount of revelers is shoulder to shoulder. Water hoses from the high houses doused those below, Water guns blazing away at just anyone walking, on Bikes, pickup trucks and all taken in good faith.
Songkran, The Traditional Thai new year is an event that is worth participating once in your lifetime, regardless of what religion one worships, for it is the spirit on sharing, Love and happiness surrounding one another is what is greater and achieved.
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