Songkran

Songkran is a term derived from the Sanskrit word, saṅkrānti (or, more specifically, meṣa saṅkrānti) and used to refer to the traditional New Year for Buddhist calendar celebrated in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, parts of northeast India, parts of Vietnam and Xishuangbanna, China. It begins when the sun transits the constellation of Aries, the first astrological sign in the Zodiac, as reckoned by sidereal astrology. It is related to the equivalent Hindu calendar-based New Year festivals in most parts of South Asia which are collectively referred to as Mesha Sankranti.

Songkran
Official nameDifferent names denote the festival across South and Southeast Asia
Regional names
  • သင်္ကြန် (Burmese)
  • មហាសង្ក្រាន្ត (Khmer)
  • ປີໃໝ່ (Lao)
  • 泼水节 (Mandarin)
  • संक्रांति (Sanskrit)
  • අලුත් අවුරුද්ද (Sinhalese)
  • มหาสงกรานต์ (Thai)
Also calledSoutheast Asian New Year
Observed byBurmese, Cambodian, Dais, Laotians, Thais, Bangladeshis (CHT), Sri Lankans, Tai Dam and certain ethnic groups of northeast India
SignificanceMarks the new year
DateGenerally 13–14 April
FrequencyAnnual
Related toMesha Sankranti
Songkran celebrations
Paying respects to elders is important in many Songkran celebrations, such as those in Songkran Thailand.
As Thingyan in Myanmar; water throwing is a cleansing ritual of many Songkran celebrations.
As Moha Sankranta in Cambodia; pouring water on Buddha is important in SE Asia. Often known as blessing in Cambodia
As Aluth Avuruddu in Sri Lanka; the blossoming of the Erythrina fusca symbolizes the advent of the New Year in Sri Lanka.
As Pii Mai in Laos.
Ancestor altars are common during New Year celebrations in Cambodia and Thailand.
Songkran celebrations involve a variety of diverse traditions practiced in the many countries and regions that celebrate the traditional New Year festival
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