Songkran Water Festival

The national holiday of Thailand is known as Songkran[1]: or Thai New Year, pronounced also known as Songkran Every year on April 13, Songkran takes place, however the festivities stretch from April 14 to April 15. In order to allow people to return home for the holiday, the Thai cabinet decided to extend the festival nationally in 2018 to seven days, from April 9–16. Since April 13 fell on a Saturday in 2019, the holiday was observed from April 9 to April 16.[4] The Sanskrit term saṃkrānti, which literally translates as "astrological passage" and denotes metamorphosis or change, is where the word "Songkran" originates. It aligns with the astrological sign of Aries rising and many Southeast and South Asian calendars' New Year, in accord with.

Today, January 1st is officially recognized as New Year's Day in Thailand. Up until 1888, Songkran was the official start of the year. After that, it was moved to a fixed date of April 1st. Then, this date was changed to January 1st, 1940. Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year, was made into a national holiday.Festivals are well-known for their open water fights, which are presented as ceremonial purification. Both Thai people and visitors had grown to love this.

The Thai name "Songkran" [8][9][10]: 261-262[11] is derived from Sanskrit [12] संक्रान्ति saṅkrānti, which can mean "to move," "movement," "the passing of," or "astrological passage" [13]: [4–6]. It originates from the sun's motion as it moves through the zodiac. As per the Sanskrit meaning, a Songkran takes place on the first of every month. Nonetheless, the time when the sun shifts from Pisces to Aries in the zodiac is what the Thai people call Songkran. Maha Songkran, or "great Songkran," is more appropriate for this time of year[16]: 4 because it falls on the first of the New Year.

The people of Thailand welcome in their traditional New Year with the most unique celebrations, months after the rest of the world has finished and moved on from the New Year festivities. Thailand's national festival, Songkran, commemorates the beginning of the Buddhist calendar year. Additionally, the sun transitions from the Pisces sign of the zodiac to Aries at this moment. People celebrate this day not just for its cultural significance but also for its historical and theological significance, which offers a chance for a new beginning.

Buddhist literature states that it all started with the demise of the sage Kapila Brahma, who was decapitated after losing a wager with a youngster named Thammabal. After that, one of his children and the angels who accompanied him would execute a procession every year when the sun entered Aries. This procession comprised several postures that are now a part of the lunisolar calendar. For the purpose of setting it apart from other zodiac journeys around the sun, this procession was dubbed Maha Songkran.

When commemorating the holiday, Thai people interpret the word "Songkran" literally, meaning "transformation" or "change." It is a chance for new beginnings and a fresh start, and observations are made with that in mind over the course of the three days. On the first day, known as Maha Songkran, people clean their houses and public areas, pour fragrant water over Buddha figures' bodies, and start water-throwing events. Next comes 'Wan Nao,' a festival commemorated by performing good deeds such as visiting the elderly and presenting contributions to monks and temples. New Year's Day itself marks the end of the festivities and is set aside for more offerings, somber introspection, and other activities centered around good luck customs.

In the sidereal zodiac method, the festivities begin when the sun enters Aries. We name this day Maha Songkran.