Songkran

Thai New Year. As in other countries of the East, Thailand celebrates the European New Year - January 1, and Songkran ("song crane"). Songkran celebrations are stretched in time. Thailand officially celebrates the new year from 13 to 15 April, but for individual cities the date of celebration varies from 11 to 18 April.

Locals call the holiday Wan Songkran. Literally translated as moving from one place to another. The Thai calendar consists of twelve cycles, each of which is dedicated to a particular animal, endowing the year with certain features.

Thais (especially children) take to the streets with a couple of buckets of water, and with the words “Sawasdee pi mai” (Happy New Year) water everyone they meet and paint each other with talc. Water, symbolizing the essence of all living things, is sprayed everywhere, because this should bring grace to everyone gifted with blessed moisture. If a smiling Thai man pours water on your back and shoulders, then he wishes you happiness. However, adults are also entertained in full program. For example, in Chang Mai, water is poured directly from a fortress ditch in the city center, pumping it from pumps. It doesn't seem much... Especially before the celebration, this ditch is cleaned so that the water is cleaner.

It used to be customary in Songkran to walk the streets with a bowl of water and sprinkle a couple of drops of each person encountered. Now “wet” everyone from water pistols, buckets and irrigation hoses.

However, the tradition of pouring water holiday is not limited. Historically, Songkran is a holiday of love and reverence, a day that Thais strive to celebrate with the whole family. The morning of Songkran begins with a trip to the temple, where the monks are presented with exquisite home treats prepared in advance, emphasizing their reverence for them as teachers and mentors. After returning from the temple, the time comes for the second part of the New Year's ceremony - the washing of the family Buddha statuette with clean water with rose petals and jasmine. Then, as a sign of respect for older family members, water is poured on their hands. After this ceremony, the family sits down at the festive table to enjoy a festive meal.