Thailand Songkran Festival

History

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.

Announcement

The Great Songkran Day this year is falling on Sunday 13 April 2008, corresponding the Year of Mouse. Its symbolic is a Deva of water element nature, before B.E. 1370, intercalary month in Lunar Calendar and the extra day added in February every four years.Songkran Queen is name Tungsatevee, wearing bangle and pomegranate flower, red dress, preferred wild fruit, the right hand holding Chakra and the left hand is holding a shell, sitting on the back of garuda.

In this year, Wednesday is the Thongchai or Lucky Day, Tuesday is Athibordi Day, Tuesday is Ubat or Bad Luck Day, Thursday is Lokawinat or Destructive Day. Songkran in this year is falling on Sunday, it shall inspire raining 400 ha (the word to call the shower of the rain) as divided as 40 ha in human world; 80 ha in the oceans; 120 ha in Himmabhan Forest; 160 ha in Chakkrawan Mountain. There were 4 Naga spraying water, the prediction about food is called Wibat the rice paddy in the farm shall be half part productive and half part destroyed and there shall have little water. From the above announcement of Songkran if we compare with ancient prediction, it is noticeable that Songkran in this year is falling on Sunday, it is said that there shall have little grain, several sickness, and, as the first day of Aries is falling on Tuesday, it is the prediction that all civil shall be happy and over come the enemies.

In Lanna concept it is predicted that there shall expensive goods, several sickness, the plant shall be seriously destroy by insects, all are more worse than good things. For Songkran Queen name Tungsatevee is sound not only terrible, she has also garuda as vehicle, and discus in the right, shell in the left hand. Garuda is the vehicle of Narayana, and discus and shell is his weapon also. Thus Songkran Queen, Tungsatevee is representatives of Narayana as to get rid of troublesome of the world. Prediction about the Great Songkran Day, the first day of Aries and New Year Celebration Day.

In case of Songkran day is falling on Sunday, the plant shall give inappropriate productivity. In case of the first day of Aries is falling on Sunday, the rice shall be died, lot of foreigners entering the country, the senior shall be falling in worrisome. Should the New Year Celebration is falling on Sunday, the King shall have great power to eliminate all enemies from all directions.

In case of Sonkran day is falling on Monday, the senior government officers and their ladies shall have great power. Should the first day of Aries is falling on Monday, there shall have sickness and expensive salt. Should the New Year Celebration is falling on Monday, the queen and her lady-in-waiting shall be happy.

In case of Songkran day is falling on Tuesday, there shall have lot of thefts, serious sickness. Should the first day of Aries is falling on Tuesday, all fruits shall be expensive. Should the New Year Celebration is falling on Tuesday, all civil servant shall be happy and overcome the enemies.

In case of Songkran day is falling on Wednesday, the senior government officers shall be admired from international. Should the first day of Aries is falling on Wednesday, all foods shall be expensive, the widowed woman shall loss her residence. Should the New Year Celebration is falling on Wednesday, all psychologist shall be happy.

In case of Songkran day is falling on Thursday, the junior shall be loss his advantage to the senior and boss. Should the first day of Aries is falling on Thursday, fruits shall be expensive, the royal family shall be in worrisome. Should the New Year Celebration is falling on Thursday, all priests, nuns and Brahmins shall perform their good activities.

In case of Songkran day is falling on Friday, there shall be rich with food and plant, heavy rain, strong storm, peoples shall be suffered from eyes disease and sick. Should the first of day of Aries is falling on Friday, chili shall be expensive, birds are suffered from disease, danger to the wild animals, the widow shall be lucky. Should the New Year Celebration Day is falling on Friday, the merchant and head of household shall have good luck in their business and earn lot of profit.

In case of Songkran day is falling on Saturday, there shall have lot of thefts, serious sickness. Should the first day of Aries is falling on Saturday, foods shall be expensive, less rice product, expensive fruit, less water and fire in the center of the city, the nobleman shall be punished. Should the New Year Celebration Day if falling on Saturday, all soldiers shall win the enemies.

In addition, there are prediction of Lanna from other orthodox that if the Great Songkran Day is falling on Sunday, the Songkran Queen is Mrs. Paengsri, the affect is the rice in such year shall be very expensive, most peoples shall be suffered from diseases, enemy attack, rice and plant are destroyed by insects, uneven rains, the millionaire shall be lost, rubber tree is the great plant for other plants, the rice holy is remained at the bamboo tree.

On Monday, the Songkran Queen is Manora, in such year, there shall have lot of snakes, most peoples shall be suffered from diseases and most of bad luck, the rice holy is remained at Mai Dua Kliang.

On Tuesday, the Songkran Queen is Raksot Thevi, in such year there shall have good raining in the beginning and ending of the year but less raining in the middle of the year, destructive rice farm, less productivity of fruits, bad situation in the country, rice and plant are destroyed by insect, the rice holy is remained at Mai Oye Chang.

On Wednesday, the Songkran Queen is Mantha, in such year there shall have uneven rain, half productive and half destructive rice farm, expensive goods, bad luck for nobleman, the rice holy is remained at Mai Kram.

On Thursday, the Songkran Queen is Kanyathep, in such year there shall have regular rain according to the reason, the senior shall be in danger, lot of dead animal, the peoples are happily stay and good being while the nobleman and priest shall be in worrisome, the rice holy is remained at Bastard Teak.

On Friday, the Songkran Queen is Rintho, in such year there shall have good rain in the beginning of the year and lowered in the middle of the year, the plant and rice are destroyed, danger to the priest, the rice holy is remained at Mai Phuttha.

On Saturday, the Songkran Queen is Sama Thevi, in such year there is lack of rain, the plants are destroyed by insect, great fire and expensive goods.

Nang Songkran

According to the legend, the story has been involved with King Kabilaprom and Prince Thammaban. Born to a wealthy family, Prince Thammaban was very intelligent since he was only seven years old King Kabilaprom had asked him three questions with the conditions that if his answers were correct, King Kabilaprom was willing to sacrifice his head but if they were wrong, the Prince must do likewise.And the questions focus on the good signs of a person at each period of the day from morning to noon until the evening.

To the surprise of the King, the Prince had answered the questions correctly. As per the good sign of a person in the morning is at the face, at the chest in the noon time and at the foot in the evening. The King then had to cut off his head as proposed. However, the King’s head had been so powerful that the whole world would be on fire if the head had touched the earth, that a serious drought would occurred and that all ocean water would dry up should it be thrown up in the sky or down in the ocean respectively. Evidently, the King had assigned his seven angel daughters to take turn carrying his head clockwise around Phra Sumane Mountain. And if Songkran Day ( April 13 ) falls on any day of the following, that year will be honoured by that Nang Songkran.

Sunday: “ Tungsatevee ’’ red dress, preferred wild fruit, discus in the right hand, shell in the left hand, garuda as vehicle.

Monday: “ Korakatevee ” yellow dress with pearl ornament, preferred butter oil, dagger in the right hand, walking cane in the left hand, tiger as vehicle.Tuesday: “ Ragsotevee” light red dress with agate ornament, preferred blood, trident in the right hand, arrow in the left hand, pig as vehicle.

Wednesday: “ Montatevee” emerald green dress with cat’s eye ornament, preferred milk and butter, sharp iron in the right hand and walking cane in the left hand, donkey as vehicle.

Thursday: “ Kirineetevee” greenish yellow dress with emerald ornament, preferred nuts and sesame seeds, elephant hook in the right hand, gun in the left hand, elephant as vehicle.

Friday: “ Kimitatevee” white dress with topaz ornament, preferred banana, dagger in the right hand, Indian vina in the left hand, buffalo as vehicle.

Saturday: “ Mahotorntevee” black dress with onyx ornament, preferred hog deer, discus in the right hand, trident in the left hand, peacock as vehicle.

Evidently, the prediction for the New Year will be made according to that particular day of the Nang Songkran. For example, if the preferred food of Miss Songkran are nuts and sesame seeds, it is predicted that the year will be productive, prosperous and healthy. And if the preferred food is blood, the prediction would go for a bloody year with all the quarrels. And if Miss Songkran prefers to carry gun, it is predicted that the weather would be full of thunderstorms, etc. Also, at the venue where the grand Songkran Festival is organized, a procession of the Miss Songkran is indispensable for the people to appreciate the festival

Rituals

April 13 or Wan Sangkan Long

Wan Sangkan Long means the old year passes by (Sangkan derived from the word Songkran. Lanna people cannot pronounce double consonants. So Songkran is pronounced Sangkan; Pret is pronounced Pet; Krot is pronounced, Kot.) According to the belief of the northern people, there are Kun Sangkan (a male) and Nang Songkran (a female). On New Year’s day (Sankan Long) a prediction will be announced, similar to the Songkran announcement of the central region, for example, “Sankan Long happens on Sunday with Kun Sangkan, riding on the Naga with a cloud in his hand, moving quickly from the west. Nang Songkran named Siri, holds a cannon, meaning there will be war. Insects will destroy the rice fields. Rain will be abundant. Cattle will fall ill. The wealthy will suffer. White Yang wood is the best quality wood. The spirit of rice lies in the bamboo. Those born on Tuesday will face problems. Those born on Saturday will have good fortune. Red objects and live beings will be costly. White objects will cost less.”

April 14 is called, Wan Nao or Wan Da (preparation day)

Wan Nao or Wan Da is an auspicious day when everyone must be cheerful, and must not curse or behave badly. In the morning, food and offerings for the monks are prepared and distributed to friends and relatives in the following morning. In the afternoon, sand is brought to the monastery compounds and sand stupas are created as a form of worship to the Lord Buddha. Finally the time comes for gently splashing water at one another with a word of blessing.

April 15 is called, Wan Phaya Wan

Wan Phaya Wan, which is the most important day of the New Year celebration or the Wan Taleung Sok of the central region. There may be also 4 additional days of celebration: April 15th (Wan Paak Pee), April 16th (Wan Paak Deuan), April 17th (Wan Paak Wan), April 18 (Wan Paak Yam) Wan Songkran involves merit making, offering food to monks, listening to sermons, paying respect to elders, and having fun.

Songkran Activities

"Wan Chai"(the day of offering)

On this day, apart from preparing new dresses to wear, people will make desserts to offer to monks and to give to friends and relatives. This act of generosity is also a way to show off each family’s cooking skills.

Well-to-do families will make a large amount of desserts to give away to others. In the past it was not possible to buy desserts since everyone made their own. Nowadays, some Thais follow western traditions by buying and giving cakes to others, as it is more convenient to do so rather than cooking.

Offering food to monksOn the dawn of the first day of the incoming year, people will prepare the best varieties of food to offer to monks. They will also dress up in their best attire. After giving alms bowl to monks, monks will eat the offered food in a temple hall. People will go home after monks finish their meal.

Making sand pagodas

There is no specific date for making sand pagodas. It can be done on any days close to Songkran in temple grounds or on riverbank. People in Kamphaengphet province also make offerings to monks on riverbank. People in Nakhon Si Thammarat build their sand pagodas twice; first in a temple on the last day of the outgoing year, and then in the grounds of their houses on the first day of the incoming year. Sand used for building pagodas is often taken from riverbank.

Releasing birds and fish

This tradition began long time ago and it is normally done during the Songkran festival. Before the festival, the weather is usually very warm and there is not enough water in ponds and rivers for fish to dwell, as a result, people will go out to catch fish in dry ponds. Small fish which can not be eaten will be kept at home until Songkran when there is more water, and then they will be released back to their natural habitat. This tradition has evolved over time and is widely practiced nowadays. At present, in addition to fish, people also free birds as an act of merit-making.

Bangsukun Atthi

Apart from releasing birds and fish, there is also a ritual performed by monks to the relics of the dead in order to pass on merits to them. This ritual is known as “Bangsukun Atthi”. It will be performed once during the Songkran festival on any of the three days. In the past, Thais did not bring ashes of the dead back home, but the remains were buried under the Bodhi tree in a temple and monks would be invited to perform the ritual there.

This ritual is believed to be local and is not influenced by Indian traditions because the Indians usually discard ashes in water source, especially into the Ganges. In some areas in Thailand, people also perform a rite to worship guardian spirits of the village and town. In Central Thailand, household choirs such as gathering firewood and fetching water are prohibited during Songkran, and these choirs must be done beforehand.

Song Nam, Rot Nam, and Sat Nam

To bathe a Buddha image, people will first make an offering of flowers, candles, and incense sticks to the image. Then they will sprinkle lustral water signifying bathing onto the image as a gesture of respect. A procession of the Buddha image will be made prior to the bathing. After that people will also bathe a Buddhist monk, usually the chief monk, by pouring over him lustral water. The chief monk will change to the new robe offered to him by laymen, then he will give a sermon and bless people who attend these bathing rituals. Besides, people will also call on elders and respected ones to ask for their blessings.

After that, people will “play” by splashing water at one another. A feast in the temple grounds will follow. Traditional desserts will be served there.
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 a 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

People in Northwest Thailand conduct the bathing ritual to the elders and respected ones on New Year’s day. Apart from flowers, candles, incense sticks, and new clothes, betel nuts, Acacia water, and traditional perfume are also part of the gifts presented. Betel nut is a symbol of respect and hospitality. In the old days, Acacia water was used as soap. Once the elders receive the gifts, they will sprinkle the Acacia water and the perfume on top of the youngs’ heads to give them blessings.Nowadays, some people still bring their new clothes and personal belongings along with other ritual objects, such as banana, sugarcane, and jackfruit leaves, to the temple so that Buddhist monks can sprinkle them with holy water in order to purify the clothes. These clothes and objects will be kept untouched for days for auspiciousness

Songkran Tips

Get To Know Songkran Custom!

1. Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year. The festival offers not only the fun water throwing but also other interesting activities such as merits making and house cleaning, considered a way to help protect the environment.

2. The purpose of bathing or splashing water in the Songkran Festival is to give and request for blessings through water, not for the rigorous water war.

3. Applying soft chalk powder called "Din Saw Phong" on one’s face or body is traditionally an individual’s choice of dressing and, thus, a personal business. You should not offer unsolicited help with it. To touch others without their permission is considered an ill manner by civilised Thais.

4. The proper bathing is divided into two categories:

- The bathing rite for the elders (aged over 60 years old, according to the old custom) as a tribute of respect and for blessings. As a youngster, you can pour scented water onto the hands of the elders without pronouncing any blessings. The elders in return will bestow their best wishes upon you.
– The bathing rite for the peers or juniors. You should ask for permission before gently pouring the scented water over the person’s shoulder and down his/her back and uttering words of blessing for the New Year. However, if you are close friends, you can enjoy splashing water on each other as you wish yet with appropriate manners and moral and safety cautions.

5. The water used for bathing and splashing is regarded as sacred. Thus, it must be clean water, "Nam Ob" (water saturated with perfumes, either of Thai or Western origin) or scented water with floral pedals, and NOT dirty water or ice.

6. Traditionally, upon the bathing ritual, the elders are presented with toilet items, namely clothes, “Pha-hom”, “Pha-nung” (loin cloth), handkerchiefs, towels, soap, perfumes and powder. However, not every aforementioned article is required. You can prepare the toilet gift set as you see fit and may or may not add other presents such as flowers and sweet.

7. Making obeisance is the highest form of respect by prostrating oneself with palms pressed together and then bowing until the pressed palms, arms and forehead touch the floor in front of the person or the image one pays respect to. The palms must be kept pressed together and separated when making obeisance to the Buddha image or monks only.

8. To bathe the Buddha image or any idol, it is more appropriate to pour the scented water on other parts of the Buddha image than on its head.

9. “Rod Nam Dum Hua” or paying respect through the pouring of Songkran water is the northern Old Lanna custom. The ceremony is different from those in other parts of Thailand in some details. The term ‘Dum Hua’ is dialectal and may present a wrong meaning if employed for the Songkran ceremonies elsewhere in the country.

10. Songkran is the custom of all Thai people regardless of religions. Those who are not Buddhists can make merits on this occasion based on their religions and beliefs and also enjoy other activities of the Festival.

11. The Songkran festival is held only once a year. We would like to invite all Thai people to come out and celebrate the festival in Thai traditional costume to preserve our glorious culture. Besides, our costume is cool!

Hilight

Chiang Mai Songkran Festival

A procession and bathing of the Phra Phuttasihing, paying homage to elderly, local traditional shows and local artistic game demonstration , splashing water around the city ditch, walking street and all international food.
Further InformationMunicipality Tel: 0 5325 9000TAT Northern Region Office, Region 1 (Chiang Mai) Tel: 0 5324 8604, 0 5324 8607

Songkran Festival at Phra Pradaeng, Samut Prakan

Swan and centipede flags parade, Miss Songkran parade, decorated vehicles and all beautiful ladies wearing Thai Raman dresses parades also traditional local games especially Sa-ba of Thai Raman tribe, and paying homage to the elderly, Miss and Mister Songkran beauty contest as well as how to play splashing water as Thai-Raman traditional way
Further InformationPhra Pradaeng district office Tel: 0 2463 4891 ext. 129-130TAT Central Region Office, Region 8 (Nakhon Nayok) Tel: 0 3731 2282, 0 3731 2284


Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Songkran Festival

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park, Wihan Phramongkhon Bophit, and around the island city, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya.Making merit to the monks, releasing of birds and fish, paying homage to the elderly.

Further InformationEducation Division, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Municipality. Tel. 0 3525 2168TAT Central Region Office : Region 6 (Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya), Tel. 0 3524 6076-7, 0 3532 2730-1


Nakhon Phanom Songkran and Lao New Year Festival

Tying the holy string around the 2000-year-old Chedi that is revered by the people of Thailand and Lao PDR. and is located in the middle of the Mekong river to pray and bless for both Thai Lao neighbors.
Further InformationCultural Center Ranu Nakorn, Ranu Nakorn District Office Tel: 0 4257 9240TAT Northeastern Region Office, Region 4 (Nakorn Panom) Tel: 0 4251 3490-1

Songkran The Water Festival on the Beach , Phuket

View the procession of Phra Phuttha Sihing along Patong Beach, paying homage to the elderly, demonstrations of Thai culture and Thai games, procession of motorcycles, and enjoy splashing water.
Further InformationTAT Southern Region Office, Region 4 (Phuket)Tel: 0 7621 2213, 0 7621 7138.

Information from : http://www.tourismthailand.org