Happy Thai New Year With Song Kran Festival
Tuesday, April 10 2007 @ 02:33 PM ICT
Contributed by: Nun
The Thai New Year, known as Songkran, is one of the most important and celebrated holidays in Thailand. The holiday is officially celebrated from April 13 to 15, with festivities often lasting an entire week.
The origins of Thai New Year combine Buddhist belief, ancient astrology and the solar calendar.
"Songkran" is a Thai word which means "move" or "change place". It refers to the shift of the sun's position in the zodiac, from Pisces to Aries, beginning a new astrological year. Songkran consists of four days. On the first day, houses are cleaned and swept. The second day involves the preparation of food to be offered to monks the next day.
The third day is New Year's Day and is celebrated by visiting the temple, presenting food and clothing to the monks, bathing the Buddha image with jasmine-scented water and taking part in one of the many rituals believed to bring good luck.