The Land of Smiles – How is it in mid – April? It is as scorching as it can get. But you know how fun Thailand is? Well, it has to be pretty fun if in the midst of their hottest time of the year the Thai people take to the streets and change the harsh climate into a season of celebration. Every year from April 13 – 15, the people celebrate the Thai New Year. The summer heat is trampled down with water splashing in from all sides and the sheer joy of festive revelry. ‘Songkran’, as it is called is a time to go back to your hometown, enjoy with your family and wash away the bad luck.
The Origin
‘Songkran’ literally translates to ‘movement’ or ‘passing’ in reference to the change in the Sun’s position in the sky. The event has its origin based on the Buddhist calendar. Until the Thai government fixed the annual dates for the Songkran in 1989, the festival dates were calculated using the traditional astronomical calendar. There is an interesting story associated with Songkran.
According to the legend, there once lived a boy named Thammabal, who mastered the holy scriptures at a young age and taught the people to lead good lives by avoiding sin. A god named Kabilla Phrom came to know about the boy and wanted to test his cleverness. Kabilla Phrom appeared before Thammabal and asked him three questions. Do you know what he promised Thammabal if he would provide the right answer to the questions within a week? The god promised to give his head to the boy. But if Thammabal was to fail then the god would get the boy’s head. On the 6th day, Thammabal got the answer to the questions after overhearing a couple of eagles speaking about it. Thus Kabilla Phrom lost his head.
But the head could neither be placed in air, the sea or on the ground. Any such act would bring down calamities on the earth. How was this difficulty overcome? The 7 daughters of the god appeared and placed his head on a raised platter and carried it away. Each of these seven, known as ‘the seven ladies of the Songkran’ have a day named after them.
The Three days
On the first day of Songkran, the people take out large rallies. It is also the day to show respect to elders. Youngsters perform the ‘Rod Nam Dum Hua’ in which they pour scented water on the palms and feet of elders and seek their blessings. People clean their houses in order to welcome the new year.
Wan Nao is the second day of Songkran and is basically like New Year’s Eve. The day is celebrated as National Family Day. Children wash the palms and feet of their parents and seek their blessings. This is also a time for temple visits. The third day is the actual Thai New Year’s day. The festivities peak and the streets are filled with people enjoying the bliss of the season.
The Water Festival and Miss Songkran
Songkran is known all over the world as the ‘water festival’. Tons of tourists flock to Thailand for this reason. Throughout the festivities, the streets are filled with people with buckets of water, water guns, water cannons and so on. Anyone who takes a walk down the road runs the risk of getting drenched to the core. People play around by throwing water at their friends, family and even every stranger who comes within their reach. Miss Songkran beauty contests are also organised at different localities in honour of the ladies of Songkran. Young women turn up in traditional attire for this. The winners get a prominent place in the parades.
Doesn’t it all sound exciting? If you get a chance, take a short flight down to Thailand and relish in the excitement of Songkran!
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