Song Kran

        Deriving from the Sansakrit language, the word “Songkran“ means to pass or to move into. In this context, the meaning implies to the passing and the moving of the sun, the moon and the other planets into one of the zodiacal orbit. And the Grand Songkran Festival which falls on the Aries indicates the new era of the Thai New Year. Owing to the ancient Indian belief, the Grand Songkran Festival is most appropriate to be the Thai New Year due to the timing of the best season which is known as the spring of India which comes right after the cold season of winter. Also, there are other aspects supporting this belief such as the blooming flowers, the fresh atmosphere of the nature and the livelihood of all the living creatures.

         With the great influence from the Indians, the Songkran Festival portrays the typical ways of life of the Thais which involve the agricultural aspects. Free from their regular routine work, the Thai citizens will find time to perform their annual rites of showing respect to their ancestors. The highlight of the festival will include the younger Thais paying respect to their elders by sprinkling their hands with scented water. And in order to welcome the New Year, the celebration will include the delighted colourful local entertainment which, in fact, suitably unite the mutual relationship between members of the family, the society, the nature and surrounding. Therefore, this Songkran Festival has proved to be the most important and grandest festival of the year. Moreover, our neighbouring countries such as Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos have also organised this type of festival.

        Since the old days during the Sukhothai period, the Songkran Festival had been practised both in the royal court palace and among the ordinary citizens. However, the size of the celebration had not been as elaborated as of today. Back in those days, civil servants and other government officials would pay homage to the king, and would drink the oath of allegiance to the king or the government, while the king would provide annual salary to all officials. Later on in Ayutthaya period, the festival had been expanded by including the bathing of the Buddha image. Also, the festivities would include the forming of sand pagodas and entertaining celebrations. In the Rattanakosin period, the rituals had been conducted in the similar pattern as those during the Ayutthaya period.

Bathing of Buddha Images

       The bathing of Buddha images can be done, firstly, by making an offering consisting of flowers, incense sticks, and candles to the image. Then, people will sprinkle them with lustral water. After bathing the images, laymen will pay respect to the chief Buddhist monk of the temple by pouring lustral water over him. The monk, after changing into a new robe offered to him, will give sermon and blessings to people who attend the bathing rituals.

        After that, people will “play” by splashing water at others. Afterwards a feast will be organized in the temple ground in which traditional desserts will also be served.

        The Songkran festival is very much related to water, since people believe that water splashing will induce abundant rainfalls in the incoming year. Water is also symbol of fertility and is used to clean up bad things. As a result, water is used widely in different ceremonies and rites of passage.

“Rod Nam Dam Hua” (May you be blessed with all that best on Songkran Day)

         During the Songkran festival, the Lanna people will conduct the “Su Ma Karawa” ceremony in order to apologize the elders for all the bad deeds they have done to them, either intentionally or unintentionally, to show their gratitude and respect. This ceremony is called “Rod Nam Dam Hua”, which usually begins on the first day of the incoming year.