History, origin and tradition of the Thai New Year, Songkran

In a few days, Thailand will celebrate the Thai New Year, Songkran, the most important annual festival.

Note: the famous water fights will be banned again this year to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand reminds us of the origin of this festival and the traditional Thai way of celebrating it.

See also : Songkran, the Thai New Year and its water battles

The origin of Songkran

The word Songkran is derived from the ancient Sanskrit language of India, which means "to enter", "to enter" or "to pass through".

It describes the monthly movement or "astrological passage" from one sphere of the zodiac to another.

In April, the sun leaves the sphere of Aries and enters that of Taurus, a period known as Maha Songkran or Great Songkran.

This period marks the beginning of the Thai New Year.

This festival is said to have originated 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, Thailand's Songkran is the best known in the world.

In Thailand, Songkran is officially a three-day public holiday from 13 to 15 April, but celebrations can last longer, up to a week in some places.

The traditional way to celebrate Songkran in Thailand

On the first day of the festival, April 13, known as Songkran Day, people clean their homes and public places such as temples and schools to get rid of the bad luck of the previous year and prepare for the new year.

Another main activity is the Song Nam Phra, a ritual of pouring scented water over sacred Buddha images in a temple.

It is important to note that the scented water (Nam Ob) is not poured on the head of the image, but rather on the torso and body.

The head is a sacred part of the body for the Thai people, see : Do's and don'ts in Thailand, the things you need to know

Nam Ob Thai is a light yellow scented water. Its name comes from the word for water (nam) and essence (ob).

Nam Ob Thai can be made with fresh or dried flowers, and recipes usually consist of natural ingredients such as nutmeg, frankincense powder, kaffir lime, saffron, sugar, musk, rose, jasmine, frangipani, ylang-ylang and pandan leaves.

The second day, 14 April, is called Wan Nao.

This is the time when people prepare food and offerings to give to the monks and temples the following day.

It is also an occasion to show respect to elders, and young people prepare rose and jasmine water and Nam Ob scented water to wash their parents' feet in a ceremony called Rot Nam Dam Hua.

In return, the parents give their blessing to the children, usually accompanied by a garland of jasmine flowers.

Many people also make sand stupas - called Chedi Sai - on the grounds of their local temple, a kind of personal pagoda and a fun way to make a spiritual offering as a family.

People also like to create a bit of good karma by releasing caged birds or fish into waterways.

Offering seller in front of Wat Phra Sri Rattana in Phitsanulok

This ceremony takes place all over the country, but one of the best places to watch or even participate is in Phra Pradaeng, in Samut Prakan province.

The ceremony has been part of the tradition at Wat Proteket Chettaram for decades.

April 15, the third day of Songkran, is called Wan Payawan and people usually start the day by going to the local temple to offer food and clothes to the monks, who then pray for them.

They also participate in other rituals that are supposed to bring them luck in the New Year.

Flower garlands are also a must for Songkran, as they add a fragrant and aesthetic touch to the festivities.

Floral garlands

Three main types of fragrant flowers are usually used to make these garlands: dok mali (jasmine), dok champhi (white champaca) and roses.

The Phuang Malai garland or flower garland is popular for giving to older relatives to express love and respect.

Songkran is celebrated by everyone, everywhere in Thailand.

It is an opportunity for people who have moved to other towns or villages to return home and spend time with their families.

Things to know before Songkran

Public transport and hotels can be fully booked months in advance, so it is advisable to book as early as possible.

It is therefore advisable to make arrangements as far in advance as possible.

It goes without saying that one should always be careful on the roads during this festive period, when people tend to be less careful than usual.

Do not even consider driving if you have been drinking.

If you use a motorbike, wear a helmet.

Source: tatnews.org