SONGKRAN FESTIVAL CELEBRATION AT SCHOOL

What is Songkran Festival? It is a traditional Thai New Year festival since the former time. It is a celebration that embraces goodwill, love, compassion. and thankfulness, using water as the means of expression. The word Songkran derives from Sanskrit meaning to move or step forward. The first day of Songkran takes place when the sun moves from Pisces into Aries, which marks the New Year's Day according to the Brahmin solar system.
     The festival of Songkran falls on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of April every year. Thefirst day is known as Maha Songkran or thegrand Songkran. The Thai government has declared Songkran festival as extended public holidays to enable the people to return to their hometown for family reunions,
merit-making and reuniting with others in their community.
     The 13th of April is also declared the Day of the Senior or Elderly by the government. The occasion marks the appreciation for the senior population for their years of contribution to the family and country.
     The 14th of April is designated as Family Day to celebrate family love and togetherness

     Songkran is regarded as one of the most important traditions in Thailand because it encompasses the three major values in the Thai way of life which are:
     Value of family: Songkran is the time when family members come together to show appreciation, loveand respect as well as making merit and paying homage to their ancestors.
     Value of society: Through active participation and interaction with each other, Songkran brings the people in the community together to enhance goodwill and unity in the society.
     Value of religion: Making merit by offering food to monks. going to the temples and attending Buddhist sermons are auspicious activities done during Songkran.

 What to do during Songkran Festival

     To celebrate Songkran, there are many activities throughout Thailand which vary according to regional tradition. Some of the activities iclude:
     • Cleaning of houses and public plac as temples, schools, offices to welcome the New Year with cleanliness and fresh start.
     • Merit making by offering alms to monks in dedication to the late ancestors, going to the temples to listen to Buddhist preaching.
     • Releasing birds and fish back to their natural habitat is a common practice during Songkran. This act of giving freedom is a form of merit making.
     • Sprinkling water onto Buddha images and monks is an auspicious act to receive blessings for the New Year.
     • Building sand pagodas on temple ground. Bringing sand into the temple's premise is considered a merit because the sand can be used or reused for construction or restoration of the temple.
     • Pouring water onto the elderly members of thefamily and/or the society to show respect and gratefulness and to askfor their blessing.
     • Folk performances and traditional games are organised for enjoyment as well as to preserve the Songkran tradition.
     • Throwing water at each otherin a friendly manner by using clean or scented water, exchanging New Year's greetings during water play, and in case of doubt, ask permission before throwing water at someone because he or she may not wish to get wet.