What is the story behind Songkran?

What is the story behind Songkran?

The festival is said to have its origins in a Hindu spring festival that marked the arrival of the new harvest season in ancient India. While other Southeast Asian countries celebrate a similar traditional new year holiday, Thailand’s Songkran is the most well-known around the world.

Why does Songkran last 3 days?

The Songkran festival is, therefore, a celebration of the New Year in accordance with the solar calendar. The celebration covers a period of three days: 13 April is regarded as Maha Songkran, the day that the sun moves into Aries on the zodiac or the last day of the old year.

What year did Songkran begin?

Today is the start of Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year. The holiday was Thailand’s official New Year until 1888 when it was switched to a fixed date of April 1. In 1940, the date of the New Year was changed again to January 1, and Songkran was transformed into a three-day national holiday.

Is Songkran the same day every year?

The word Songkran derives from Sanskrit meaning to move or step forward. The first day of Songkran takes place when the sun moves from Pisces into Aries, which marks the New Year’s Day according to the Brahmin solar system. The festival of Songkran falls on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of April every year.

Who started the water festival?

The Water Festival history goes back to the Angkorean times in the 12th Century AD when the Khmer empire occupied most of the Indochinese Peninsula. During that time, Cambodia had achieved peace and prosperity following the victorious naval battle with the Chams, which took place from 1177 to 1181 AD.

Who created Songkran?

The celebration of Songkran itself originates from a Buddhist story. Legend has it that Kadilla Brahmā—a Buddhist God—lost a challenge with a child. Since he lost the bet with the child, he had to cut off his head, but instead, the god left his head with his seven daughters.

How has Songkran changed over time?

But like all things over the years it changes. We still have the days for the temples and family but the water side has become a bit more popular. Now its a time for a street party lasting 2 or more days and the blessings can be done en-mass with the aid of water guns and hoses to all within range or the water gun.

Does Vietnam Celebrate Water Festival?

Songkran New Year Festival is celebrated on 13 to 15 April every year. It is most notably commemorated in Thailand, but related celebrations also occur in Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and parts of India, Vietnam, and China.

Why do people throw water at each other during Songkran?

In addition to visiting local temples, people flock to the streets to take part in wide-ranging water fights. The throwing of water has traditionally been a sign of respect and well-wishing, as revelers hope to wash away bad luck.

Which country is the origin of the Water Festival?

Burma’s answer to Thailand’s Songkran, and Cambodia’s Chaul Chnam Thmey, is Thingyan. It’s the annual water festival, which celebrates the coming of the new year with a nationwide display of performances, religious ceremonies and, bucket loads of water.

Is Songkran only in Thailand?

Songkran is a term derived from the Sanskrit word, saṅkrānti (or, more specifically, meṣa saṅkrānti) and used to refer to the traditional New Year celebrated in Bangladesh, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, parts of northeast India, parts of Vietnam and Xishuangbanna, China.

What does Sawadee Pee Mai mean?

Thai translation: Sawadee Pee Mai GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW) English term or phrase: Happy New Year.

Which country started Water Festival?

Thingyan is the first ever water festival celebrated in the world or the earliest water festival in water festivals. Thingyan has been celebrated since the Tagaung period(1-10 AD) of Myanmar and became famous during the Bagan period (12 AD).

Is there Songkran in Cambodia?

Songkran is a term derived from the Sanskrit word, saṅkrānti (or, more specifically, meṣa saṅkrānti) and used to refer to the traditional New Year celebrated in [[Bangladesh], [Thailand]], Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, parts of northeast India, parts of Vietnam and Xishuangbanna, China.

What should you not do on Songkran?

Respect monks, elderly and babies Splashing water is great but never do it to monks, elderly people or babies. This is a big no-no, and if you end up doing it by mistake, apologize straight away!

Who invented the Water Festival?

Cambodian Water Festival was first celebrated in the 12th century, around the time of Angkorian King Jayavarman VII. The King’s Navy helped usher in the Cambodian fishing season. The festivities made the gods happy and secured good harvests of rice and fish in the upcoming year.

  • October 11, 2022