The Songkran festival that is long awaited for has finally arrived. This famous festival marks the Thai New Year, the time for joyful celebrations and happiness. This festival occurs during April 13 to 15 of every year. Songkran is celebrated nationwide but where is the ‘hot spot’ for the hottest festival of the year? The most famous of the celebrations take place in Chiang Mai! It is the second largest city and is located in the Northern region of Thailand. The festival attracts thousands of visitors each year from all over Thailand as well as international tourists determined to share the fun.
The core of the Songkran festivities are held at temples in the vicinity of the city’s gates around the city moat. Parades and cultural performances as well as arts demnostrations keep the streets alive. One of the highlights of the festival is the parade of Buddha images that are accompanied by attendants on floats and the town’s people. The procession begins at Naowarat Bridge on the Mae Ping River and moves to Thapae Gate before reaching the final destination at Wat Prasingh.
Songkran is best known for bountiful quantities of water thrown from buckets to passers-by during the peak of the summer heat wave. The craziest water-throwing experience is within the heart of the city, the Thapae Gate and the moat area.
Cultural elements are practiced throughout this fun festival as well. The annual bathing of Buddha images and showing respect for the elders are essential during the New Year. While religious and cultural aspects are not forgotten, this three-day festival is certainly an unforgettable experience for the fun-loving people!
Songkran is the busiest time of the year in Chiang Mai and it can get a little chaotic and frustrating. A word of advice is to book hotels in advance because most hotels will be fully booked at that time.
Make yourselves ready to get wet and wild in the lovely city of Chiang Mai!
http://www.chiangmaispotlight.com/index.php/upcoming-events/songkran-festival-2010.html
http://www.worldeventsguide.com/event/1513/Chiang-Mai-Thailand/Songkran-.html
