Songkran Festival Thailand: Traditions and New beginnings

Thailand's most famous celebration, Songkran, is celebrated every April, when both young and old flock to the streets around the country, armed with plastic guns and water buckets, to participate in water battles. This spectacular three-day event kicks off the traditional Thai New Year and demonstrates the inhabitants' deep-rooted cultural worship, attracting thousands of visitors to the country every year.

WHAT IS ‘SONGKRAN’?

Songkran Festival in Thailand is the most well-known festival in the country, which marks the start of a new year and is typically held from April 13–15; however, some cities extend the festivities a few days longer.

Songkran's essence lies in the symbolic act of cleansing and renewal, in which people splash water on each other to wipe away the previous year's sins and misfortunes, ushering in a new beginning.

Traditional dancers perform during a Songkran opening ceremony. (Source: CNN)

The name ‘Songkran’ originates from the Sanskrit word, which  indicates the passage of the sun into a new sign of the Hindu astrological system, embodying a new phase, both spiritually and culturally.

 Historically, the festival originated with a symbolic water-pouring ceremony in which water was sprinkled on Buddha statues and on the hands of loved ones as a mark of respect and blessings. 

Today, this practice has grown into one of the world’s largest water battles, with entire towns transformed into playgrounds as people splashed each other with water pistols, buckets, and hoses. It is customary to greet one another with ‘Happy New Year’.

HISTORY OF SONGKRAN

As per the widely popular legend, Songkran started off as a battle of wits, where a clever little boy overthrew the god Brahma. One such narrative mentions that a god named Brahma placed three riddles before a clever boy named Dhammapala and offered to call it quits if the boy was unable to solve them, as Brahma would cut off his head. 

Dhammapala was not able to answer at that time, but he possessed an uncommon talent that allowed him to understand the avian tongue and heard a mother eagle feeding her chicks with the said answers. 

Buddha Statue is watered to show the respect of people. (Source: Shutterstock)

After this, Dhammapala had no trouble solving the integrated puzzles of Brahma, after which he cut off his own head. However, the head was extremely hot and would burn the ground or evaporate the water in the sea; hence, Brahma’s seven daughters (indicative of the seven days of the week) concealed it in a celestial cave.

Every year, when the sun enters the signs of the ram, one of the daughters takes out the head to clean it with water before making it a procession around the universe’s Mount Meru, and a similar procession with attendant washing was supposedly celebrated on earth.

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MEANING OF SONGKRAN FESTIVAL

A colorful celebration of the Thai New Year, the Songkran Festival represents rebirth, purification, and the value of family. It symbolizes the washing away of the bad luck of the previous year by combining traditions with exciting water fights. Having its roots in Buddhism, it is a time for elder respect, merit-making, and temple visits. As people from all around Thailand come together to celebrate, the event strengthens the bonds of community and solidarity. Songkran is a beloved cultural event that draws both locals and tourists because of its joyful mood.

Cleaning up the misfortunes and starting a new journey. (Source: Shutterstock)

Culturally

• Traditions and New Beginnings: While the water battles are exciting and enjoyable, Songkran is firmly steeped in history and respect. It is a moment for Thais to honor their elders by pouring fragrant water on their hands and asking for blessings. It is also a time to visit temples and earn merit by making offerings and participating in ceremonies.
• Religious Observance: During Songkran, many Thais perform religious rites, such as pouring water over Buddha images to cleanse them. This is done solemnly and respectfully at temples across the country.
• Community Cohension: Songkran promotes a strong sense of community and friendship. Thais return to their hometowns to spend time with relatives and friends.

Spiritually

• Purification and Renewal: Songkran represents the purging of sins and misfortunes from the past, providing spiritual purification and a new beginning for the year.
• Buddhist Customs & Merit-Making: Temple visits, almsgiving, and bathing Buddha statues are all part of the festival's Buddhist traditions, which aim to attract blessings and build up good karma.
• Honoring seniors through water-pouring ceremonies is a fundamental part of Songkran, which promotes appreciation, deference, and a feeling of community.

Religious rituals and the world’s biggest water party. (Source: Green Pearls)

WHERE TO CELEBRATE SONGKRAN

Songkran is a festival celebrated all over Thailand, although some cities and places have made it more famous by celebrating it with high spirits. Therefore, here are some top destinations to celebrate:

1. Songkran Bangkok

The other hotter hubs in the city are Khaosan Road and Silom Road. These areas burst with thousands of locals and tourists due to the infamous three-day water fights, live music, and street parties. Especially in Silom, it gets very colorful, mainly because of full support for people of the LGBTQ+. During that time, Siam Songkran Music also celebrates, which is composed of live, electrifying performances by famous DJs, both local and internationally known.

2. The Songkran Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is often trumpeted as Thailand's cultural center and therefore has become the number one destination to celebrate Songkran. The whole city joins in on the splashing fun, with the Old City moat being an endless source of water. Of course, some kind of cultural concerts and traditional festivals, such as temple visits, combine wonderfully modern and ancient rites.

People enjoy the water battles. (Source: Shuttershock)

3. Songkran, Pattaya

In Pattaya, Songkran festivals stretch for a week, so you have ample time to savor the joy. Its coastline and streets are swarming with people joining in the fun, hence giving a very lively and pleasing coastal version of Songkran.

4. Songkran Phuket, and Koh Samui

Of course, these islands also join in the fun of Songkran with their beach parties, water battles, and live music, while silky beaches provide picture-postcard backdrops. Be it Patong Beach in Phuket or Chaweng Beach in Koh Samui, expect tonnes of action.

5. Hua Hin

If you are looking for a more low-key Songkran celebration, then Hua Hin is decidedly more subdued, with its water battles and festivals lacking the chaotic energy of the big cities. The place goes well with those who seek to enjoy a festival that interlaces the feelings of both locals and visitors.

WHAT TO PACK FOR SONGKRAN FESTIVAL

Water-splashing during the Songkran Festival in Thailand. (Source: Shuttershock)

1. Waterproof pouches: Keep your phone, wallet, and other valuables in a dry bag or waterproof pouch. These are offered by street sellers in preparation for Songkran.
2. Waterproof shoes: Rubber sandals or water shoes are a fantastic choice because your feet will be soaked for the most of the festival.
3. Water gun: Local shops have a wide range of alternatives, from basic squirt guns to enormous Super Soakers. It's your primary weapon for Songkran.
4. Eye protection: Wearing goggles or sunglasses will help protect your eyes from being accidentally splashed.
5. A dry bag is essential for keeping your valuables secure and dry during the day.
6. Long shirts: Any colourful button-down shirt has become Songkran's unofficial uniform. If you don't already have one, there are lots of alternatives available in the market.
7. Earplugs: While not an apparent choice, earplugs can help prevent ear infections, particularly in locations like Chiang Mai, where moat water is frequently utilised for festivities.

TIPS TO ATTEND SONGKRAN FESTIVAL

1. Respect non-participants: Check before spraying anyone. Avoid throwing water at the elderly, monks, pregnant women, or small children.
2. Dress modestly: Regardless of the lighthearted environment, it is essential to dress correctly. Swimsuits, crop tops, and exposing clothes may result in fines or arrests.
3. Stay off the road: Avoid driving during Songkran since there is a high likelihood of traffic accidents.
4. Be gentle with water splashes: Avoid spraying water directly at people's faces or in an aggressive manner. Also, avoid wetting motorcycle riders, as this might lead to accidents.

The Songkran Festival is a celebration. (Source: Shuttershock)

CONCLUSION

Across the country, people and tourists gather in the streets to splash water and worship at temples for good luck. Songkran attracts hundreds of people eager to participate in the festivities and learn about Thai culture. Prepare to enjoy the spirit of regeneration, water-filled exhilaration, and cultural immersion during Songkran! Be with Asia King Travel to discover a slice of Thai culture at its finest. 

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