USA is home to numerous cultures from around the world. What makes for a unique experience is when landmark festivals of each these ethnicities are celebrated. Thailand has rich culture, interesting art, music and heritage, an interesting food palate and a nation full of smiling, friendly people. Not everyone can go to Thailand to experience these wonders. But once a year, the entire Thai culture steps into the streets of USA. This is the time of the Thai New Year, natively called Songkran. This is, by far, the most famous thai festival in USA.
Songkran festival – brief history
The term Songkran is often said to have originated from a Sanskrit word which means astrological passage. The Songkran thai festival in USA falls in the second week of April – usually from 13th to 15th April. Originally, this date was calculated through astrological means. But over the years, the date has become fixed. The festival of Songkran has been celebrated for over centuries now. Some say this festival has been adapted from some Indian festival. Whatever be the case, this festival is now celebrated in all parts of the world and hence in USA too. In fact, every year in April a number of tourists come in packs to celebrate this famous thai festival in USA.
Songkran celebrations in USA
Songkran festival is basically a water fight. During this festival, people roam all around the streets with water guns and throw water at each other. This throwing of water is equated with cleansing and blessing the people with good fortune. Many sections of the streets in USA are cut off by the officials in order to avoid unnecessary vehicular traffic. Only trucks carrying ice and fire engines are allowed on those streets. The day is all about getting wet and making others wet. People stand on the sidewalks with hoses or buckets filled with ice cold water and throw it at random strangers or vehicles. There is also the custom of mixing cheap talc with the water to form a beige colored paste and smearing the faces of passersby with it. This is regarded as a way of blessing them with good luck for the New Year. Songkran festival is usually seen as a time to spend with family and have fun. It is also the time to visit relatives, neighbors and friends and also pay respects to elders. This thai festival in USA is complemented with appropriate music, dance performances, fashion shows, parades all of which are a representative of the interesting Thai culture. Not to forget there is traditional Thai food and even renditions of traditional Muay Thai boxing in some places.
Reasons for popularity of Songkran in USA
This thai festival in USA is popular because it brings in a mass cultural influx. It is a good way to spend a couple of days in the hottest month of the year. Also, it is a good way to let go of one’s daily rigors of life and just have fun for the sake of it, and make a new beginning.
