Songkran in Best Travel Thailand

Songkran Festival 2008's 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.

The Great Songkran Day this year is falling on Sunday 13 April 2008 at 18.24hours. Changed from before B.E. 1370 on 14 April 2008 at 22.53.24 hours.

In this year, Sunday is the “Thongchai or Lucky Day”, Monday is “Athibordi Day”, Saturday is “Ubat or Bad Luck Day”, Wednesday is “Lokawinat or Destructive Day”. Since Songkran in this year is falling on Saturday, 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 6 Naga spraying water, the prediction about food is called “papa” the rice paddy in the farm shall be 1 part productive and 9 parts destroyed and there shall have appropriate water.

From the above announcement of Songkran if we compare with ancient prediction, it is noticeable that Sonkran in this year is falling on Saturday, it is said that there shall have lot of theft, severe sickness, and, as the first day of Aries is falling on Sunday, it is predicted that the rice shall be died, lot of foreigner entering the country, the senior shall be in worrisome. In Lanna concept it is predicted that there shall lack of rain, the plants shall be seriously destroyed by insets, serious fire, expensive goods, all are as worse as current prediction. For Songkran Queen named Mahthon Thevi is sound quite terrible since in addition to carrying Chakra and Trident but she also eat meat and bear water hyacinth above her ear, wear black sapphire. Some may feel unhappy after reading those above story but should we deeply consider that Songkran is falling on Saturday which in Astrology is considered as the great trouble day that full of bad luck but Saturday is the strong day, having “Naga-Prok” Style Buddha Image as the symbol of the day which can be interpreted that the Naga has spread their heads to protect all human beings from all bad luck and it is believed that this style of Buddha is full of sacred in mercy as from the legend, it was told that even the Naga also appeared from the water to protect the Buddha based on the power of his kindness. It is to directly indicate peoples to use mercy and merit in spending their life regardless in the family, social and national level. Chakra is the weapon of Narayana as used to get rid of troublesome of the world while Trident is the weapon of Siva the great holy who gives special blessings to peopled of good conduct. Black sapphire can make the wearer to have cool-mind, can prevent dangerous from ghost, brings strength, good luck and richness. It is noticeable that even Songkrang Queen is coming to the world at inappropriate time but her weapon and ornament indicate lucky meaning because they can be used to get rid of enemy. Regardless what is the prediction in the past or in presence, if we use the best care in living, then we shall be able to welcome “Songkran – Thai New Year” with happiness and confidence of the future.

Prediction about the Great Songkran Day, the first day of Aries and New Year Celebration Day.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.

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THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SONGKRAN: ORIGINS OF THE FESTIVAL & THE CULTURAL VALUES BEHIND SONGKRAN

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SONGKRAN: ORIGINS OF THE FESTIVAL & THE CULTURAL VALUES BEHIND SONGKRAN

Songkran Day has been celebrated as New Year's Day in the Thai solar calendar since ancient times. The date coincides with the day the sun leaves Pisces and enters Aries, usually falling on April 13 of each year.

The word "Songkran" means a passage or course and refers to the position of the sun within the solar system. As the sun enters each of the houses of the zodiac constellation, a songkran cycle is completed. Over time, the use of the term has become more generic and Songkran is more commonly associated with the period when the sun enters Aries, in April. During this time, the sun is equidistant to the earth so there are an equal number of hours during the day and night, a phenomenon known as "mahasongkran" (the supreme cycle). This marks the beginning of the Thai new year.

Songkran is celebrated over a 3-day period.

APRIL 13 - WAN SANGKHAN LHONG
"Sangkarn Lhong day" marks the end of an era. Various activities are undertaken to "send off" the outgoing year. In the morning, merit-making rituals are performed and offerings are made to the Buddhist monks. Spring-cleaning and personal cleansing are also part of this "renewal" process. Later in the day, Buddha images are bathed with lustral water in a gesture of respect. The religious ceremonies include a procession of Buddha images through the city streets offering an opportunity for residents of the community to take part in the bathing rites. An annual "Miss Songkran" parade and floral floats are part of the popular festivities held to greet the Thai new year.

APRIL 14 - WAN NAO OR WAN DA
On April 14, the position of the sun is mid-way between Pisces and Aries. "Wan nao" or "Wan da" is a day of preparation as family members gather to help prepare offerings for the monks for the next morning. The afternoon is spent carrying sand into the 'wats' or temples. This is considered to be an auspicious day when everyone sports a happy face and avoids uttering words deemed inauspicious or bad-tempered. Merit-making continues in the morning with offerings being made to Buddhist monks. The world-famous Songkran water-splashing festive fun takes place all day helping revellers to beat the summer heat. In the evening, sand is brought to the temples for the building of sand stupas which are then decorated with colourful flags and flowers. The practice reflects an ancient belief that when an individuals walks away from a temple, particles of sand from the temple grounds are inadvertently carried away on one's shoes or sandals. The building of sand stupas for the temple is seen to be a practical way of replacing the sand lost and a merit-making act through which blessings are earned.

APRIL 15 - WAN PHYA WAN
April 15 marks the Thai New Year. This is the most important day of the Songkran New Year celebrations. It is a day traditionally spent making merit and performing charitable acts such as presenting offerings to the monks and listening to sermons, sprinkling holy water on Buddha images and monks, propping up the sacred Bo tree in the temple grounds, and calling on elders to receive their blessings.





A bathing ritual is observed in which lustral water is poured over respected elders in a gesture of respect and reverence. The seeking of their blessing or forgiveness for past wrong-doing is also implied. Additionally it is believed that through these acts of merit-making, loved ones, long-departed are endowed with blessings and good fortune. Last but not least comes the water-splashing ceremony and other festivities which is the most fun-filled part of the celebrations.

The religious ceremonies and folk rituals associated with Songkran are principally performed to bring good luck and prosperity. The rituals are also acts of gratitude and indebtedness undertaken in the memory of those who have passed on to another world.

The Songkran activities that take place in various locations around the kingdom are culturally unique and reflect local beliefs and practices. Each offers varying elements of interest.



LANNA THAI SONGKRAN FESTIVAL IN CHIANG MAI APRIL 13 - 15, 2007

• Wat Phra Singh Voramahaviharn Temple
• Tha Phae Gate
• Provincial Governor's residence
• Around the city moat and at various other locations throughout the city of Chiang Mai

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS AND ACTIVITIES

• Phra Buddha Sihing procession
• Buddha images bathing ritual
• Merit-making activities and presentation of offerings to Buddhist monks
• Lanna Thai cultural performances
• Folk games
• Sand-stupa building contest
• Songkran water-splashing

One of the best places to experience Songkran is in Chiang Mai, where it is celebrated on a grand scale with a flavour uniquely and entirely its own, attracting visitors from far and wide. This year the festivities, scheduled for April 13-15, 2007, are centred around the Wat Phra Singh Voramahaviharn Temple, in the vicinity of the Tha Phae Gate, the Provincial Governor's residence and around the city moat.

Devout Buddhists visit the temple for merit-making and to listen to sermons. Lustral water is sprinkled on sacred Buddha images, such as the Phra Buddha Sihing image, and also poured over the hands of monks in a gesture of reverence. Donations are also made to the temple. Enjoy traditional Thai cultural performances held in the temple ground.

One of the highlights of the festival is the 'Songkran Beauty Queen Procession' that takes place on Songkran Day itself - April 13. Meanwhile, many other events leading up to the main attraction are spread over several days and it is here that the visitor gets to see various aspects of Chiang Mai, first hand, -- its culture, cuisine, arts and crafts, as well as the friendly people.



THE CULTURAL VALUES BEHIND SONGKRAN

The Cultural Values of the Songkran Festival are expressed through the various ceremonies and rituals. The meaningful aspects of Songkran are varied and culturally rich.

The first cultural value is "Thanksgiving" - The demonstration of gratitude and an expression of thanks to individuals who have have "done good" or shown goodwill and are worthy of respect and recognition.

Thanksgiving is demonstrated in ceremonial aspects of Songkran such as the bathing of Buddha statues with lustral water and the pouring of lustral water over the hands of elders and respected individuals, and other outward demonstration of respect.

The second cultural value is Loyalty to Ancestors. This is achieved through merit-making.

The third cultural value focuses on the an individual's sense of awareness of his/her responsibilities towards the family and home. It is demonstrated via the traditional custom of "spring cleaning".

The fourth value addresses the Value of Religion and highlights the well- defined roles and responsibilities of the "temples and monasteries" on the one hand and the community served by the religious institution.

Observance of this principle involves:

• Community involvement in the spring-cleaning of temples
• Meritmaking and offering food and alms to monks
• The bathing of Buddha statues and monks
• The construction of "chedis" or stupas and the decoration or beautification of temple surroundings

The fifth value is "Acts of kindness and generosity" towards others or Doing good for others".
This is demonstrated by the preparation, exchange and sharing of food and desserts by members of the community and the sprinkling of water on each other. This is a gesture of hospitality shown as individuals attempt to "cool" each other off in the intense summer heat.

The sixth value is the Spirit of Co-Operation and Community Spirit demonstrated through the enthusiastic participation of individuals of demonstrated through the enthusiastic participation of individuals of the community in Songkran festivities, sharing in the fun, spreading happiness and goodwill to all.

The morning of Songkran Day begins with merit-making according to local customs and traditions. Younger folks make their way to show their respect and seek the blessings of elders and individuals of seniority by making offerings. The ritual which accompanies this show of respect is highly elaborate. Deep respect and reverence is shown to the highest institution of the Kingdom - the monarchy and members of the royal family, learned individuals in particular those who are "teachers" the providers of knowledge to students and elders recognised for their worldly experience and wisdom.

This gesture of respect manifests itself in the form of a colourful and vibrant procession. This is Songkran and not a moment's "sanuk" is to be missed. Bright colours, song and dance and festive fun is the order of the day.

Once the ceremonial gesture of respect has been shown and the good-spirited water-throwing is over, everyone returns home to "freshen up" and prepare for the evening's celebrations which consists of various performances and forms of entertainment. Not to be missed is the "Ram Wong" Thai folk dance. The "Ram Wong" enables everyone to join in the fun.

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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.

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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 monks
On 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.

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