History Of Songkarn Festival, Thailand Essay

History of Songkran Festival (The Water Festival)

Songkarn Festival is originated from a Hinduism tradition. Back into the past, when Songkran day begins, people didn’t throw water to each other, but instead, they poured water on their dead ancestors, to show their respect and gratefulness. But when time goes by, medical aids have been improved, people lived longer, so, they started to show the same respect to their living ancestors and monks as well.

In Sukhothai period, about 700 years ago, when Thai people and King were like Father and Son, there was a tradition on Mahasongkarn day. Every year on that day, Sukhothai people had a chance to visit the royal palace to splash water against The king until King can’t stand and walk out of his throne himself. This tradition was allowed to do on Songkarn Fest. Only, otherwise you will be executed.
In former time, There are no specific date for Thai New Year because Thai calendar was based on lunar calendar until about 400 years ago when Ayutthaya became a capital of Thailand, people stated April 13th as the first day of the year. But nowadays, there are 3 days for Songkran Festival celebration,  which are on April 13th-15th  ,
April 13th is the first day of the year,
April 14th is the Family day and the Elderly day, and
April 15th is the celebration day.  
On April 15th,   there used to have a beauty contest which based on the legend of King Prommathat who had five heads.
One head was cut off by Narai. However, his head was known to be very dangerous. If it touched the ground, the world would be arid, so, to save the earth from the calamity, his 12 daughters, which are called as a whole Nang Songkran or Songkran Ladies, took turns bringing out his head and carried it in procession around Mount Sumeru by riding on a certain kind of animal.
      We always know water-throwing as the main activity on this day, even though there are some other activities which are more important...