new years rites
bangkok | thailand | travelled in 2012 | posted on apr 16, 2012
even if tourists essentially recognize songkran as a huge party with excessive water battles, this is not what it originally is about.
during songkran, thai families visit their local temple and bring rice, fruits, flowers or money as donations. it is also common to pour water over the monks or their hands as well as over buddha statues.
but these ritual washings as a gesture of respect have changed over the years: today it is common for everyone to shower each other with water...