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What is "Songkran Days"?

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What is "Songkran Days"?

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The Sonkran Days are the traditional Thai version of New Year.

Song- kran originated in Sanskrit as "pass or move forward",
has a astrological definition of Sun movement
from one zodiac sign to another. When movement changes
from Pisces to Aries, it is specially called Maha Song-kran
Song-kran period generally are the 13th, 14th, and 15th of April
each year, specifically named Maha Son-kran Day Nao Day
and Lerng-sok Day respectively. Each region in Thailand may
have different name of each day and different festive
celebration depending on local belief.

People clean their houses and wash their clothes and enjoy sprinkling perfumed water on the monks, novices and other people for at least two or three days. They gather around the riverbank, carrying fishes in jars to put into the water, for April is so hot in Thailand that the ponds dry out and the fish would die if not rescued. People go to the beach or river bank with jars or buckets of water and splash each other. When everyone is happily wet they are usually entertained by boat races on the river.

In addition, preparation for making merit, generally to Buddha's monks, is very common at this period. On Songkran Day, there is usually an early merit making by offering foods and things to monks, unleash birds and fishes ( as another mean of making merits), praying for the dead relatives, watering Buddha image, etc. Water splashing is one of the famous afternoon activities.

Songkran also conveys another meaning of Thai social values. It is the time when all family members get together, more or less like Thanksgiving, due to the very traditional way of Thai lifestyle. During this special family reunion, the younger will water the elder and elderly to pay respect and gratitude, and will receive blessing in return.

Others
This happens around April 12 each year in Thailand. It is also called the Thai water festival. It is something like Mardi Gras with water. Everyone throws water on everyone. It started out as a gentle "cleansing" sprinkle a long time ago. Now it is a water free for all.
Thai Festival of waters.
Song- kran originated in Sanskrit as 鈥減ass or move forward鈥?
has a astrological definition of Sun movement
from one zodiac sign to another. When movement changes
from Pisces to Aries, it is specially called Maha Song-kran
Song-kran period generally are the 13th, 14th, and 15th of April
each year, specifically named Maha Son-kran Day Nao Day
and Lerng-sok Day respectively. Each region in Thailand may
have different name of each day and different festive
celebration depending on local belief.

For more details, please check the following link:

http://www.geocities.com/siamstyles/song...