Songkran-Thai New Year

Songkran, sounds peculiar because it is a Sanskrit word means “a move, change or ascending”, which refers to the move of the sun into the Aries zodiac. “Originally this happened at the vernal equinox, but as the Thai astrology did not know about the precession the date moved from March to April” (“Astrological calculation”). Songkran is the word widely used, but the actual word is “Troot Songkran”. Troot and Songkran are two separate words. Troot

If he answers correctly, Kabilabrahma will be beheaded. First question was where the morning’s sign of zodiac? Second where is the noon’s sign of zodiac? And finally where is the evening’s sign of zodiac? He has to give answers in seven days. Six days passed but he could not find any answer. So he went to hide under two big palmyra tree where a couple of eagles live. The female eagle asked her husband where they would get their food on the next day. The male said from Dhanabal Kumara’s dead body. The female asked the questions and answers. Her husband gave all answer to her. Dhamabal heard answers and gave all answers to Kabilabrahma. Kabilabrahma lost and as promised he beheaded himself. But Kabilabrahma‘s head had great supernatural power. If his head fell on the earth, earth would be on fire. If his head threw in to air, people suffer bad drought. If his head threw into the water, the ocean would be dried. So his seven daughters in turn had to carry the head and parade around Mount Prasumeru. Each of his daughters takes turn after 365 days to carry his head (“Manowongsa”).

Finally, “This New Year’s festival is celebrated in honor of Buddha’s birthday “(Ickis 11). This water festival has been celebrated for centuries in not only Thailand but also in Burma, Laos, and Cambodia. But it is celebrated little differently. I can say this festival is a solution to muddle through the heat because it is celebrated in the hottest and dry season of the year.

So traditionally April regarded as both end of old year and the New Year. In this way festival includes celebration of the end of the year “Troot” and the beginning of a new year “Songkran”. The phases of the moon and the lunar calendar also play an important role in formation of the Thai New Year. According to the old Thai lunar calendar, the Thai New Year is astrological and lunar features.

means “to cut “or “separation “, that is, the end of old year.

Some topics in this essay:
Customs New”, Buddhism Tai, Min Dvaravati, Dhamabal Kumara, Chiangmai Bangkok, Paya Wan, Lady Sangkhan, Wan Nao, Kabilabrahma Kabilabrahma, Troot Songkran, lunar month, songkran festival, water throwing, festival celebrated, lunar calendar, sign zodiac, lunar month deuan, brahmin priests, calendar thai, thai lunar, southern china,