4 most fascinating water festivals in Southeast Asia

Every year in mid-April, water festivals are held in several Southeast Asian nations to relieve the heat of the tropics and to enhance the color of a joyful environment. Let’s take a look at the four most intriguing water festivals in Southeast Asia.

Water festivals are being held in several Southeast Asian nations from April 13th to April 15th. The highlight of this one-of-a-kind celebration is when participants splash water together to convey their hopes for a luckier, healthier, and happier New Year. Southeast Asian countries are well-known for this water festival, according to livingnomads.com’s “roll call.”

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1.Bunpimay (Boun Pi Mai) Water Festival, Laos

The water festival is known as Bunpimay (Boun Pi Mai) by the Lao people. It is celebrated across Elephant nation, but the greatest fun is had in the historic capitals of Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng. People clean their homes and the alley outside on the last day of the old year, preparing scented water and flowers. Then, go to the temple to perform a Buddhist ceremony, pray, and listen to the monks speak, praying for a healthy and happy year.

Visitors arrive to the house throughout the three days of the Lunar New Year. The owner will tag them with a green or red thread, a sign of happiness and health. Furthermore, individuals utilize flowers (yellow scorpion) appended to the automobile and hanged on the home to pray for good luck, or Champa flowers into clusters, and release the animals dwelling beneath the water to pray for blessings in the New Year.

The water celebration is traditionally held on the third day of the New Year. People frequently exchange good wishes before spraying water. Young people frequently splash water for the elderly as a way of expressing their feelings and wishing them a long life. They not only splash water on individuals, but also on the house, religious artifacts, and animals. Lao people believe that water may be used to wash away evil things and diseases, as well as to provide good luck and health.

Bunpimay(Boun Pi Mai) Water Festival
Location: Vientiane, Luang Prabang or Vang Vieng
Opening times: From 13th to 15th of April

2.Chol Chnam Thmay Water Festival, Cambodia

During the three days of Cambodia’s water festival (from April 13 to 15) (also known as Chol Chnam Thmay, the temples with lights on the main routes leading to the palace. On New Year’s Eve, they burn incense to cleanse the home of the old Téveda deity and welcome Téveda Thmay.

On the second day, everyone pours rice into the monks’ bowls as a tribute and receives their good wishes. The third day is dedicated to Buddha bathing. People participate in street festivities such as water splashing and color powder coating after religious rites at temples.

Chol Chnam Thmay Water Festival
Location: Wat Phnom, Phnom Penh
Opening times: 13th or 14th of April

3.Thingyan Water Festival, Myanmar

Thingyan is one of the most important holidays of Myanmar, and water splashing is an indispensable part of this festival.

Thingyan Many religious events begin on New Year’s Eve. Before nightfall, the real fun begins with music, dancing… The next day, Thingyan truly begins. Following an order, a cannonball is shot, and people rush to the roadways, splashing water, praying, and pouring water into the ground.

Watering hoses in the yard, huge water pipelines made of bamboo, copper, or plastic, and water pumps are common in large cities such as Yangoon. Other water spray appliances are employed with cups that can only be used to gently sprinkle the water, as well as water poles and fire hoses. Because it is the warmest time of year, water splashing is encouraged.

Thingyan Water Festival
Location: Yangon, Myanmar
Opening times: From 13th to 16th of April

4.Songkran Water Festival, Thailand

Songkran, the water celebration, takes place during the hottest season of the year. This is the time when Thais pay their respects to the Buddha, clean their homes, and shower the elderly with water. Many parades and beauty pageants are held throughout the event. People often make traditional foods and dress up in bright clothes. Everyone is free to splash water without fear of being chastised. They also spray extra water, wishing the New Year luck and prosperity. Aside from spraying water, the Thai also apply flour on the face and things to banish spirits and keep danger at bay.

Bangkok is an excellent location for numerous large-scale events. Khao San Road is a popular gathering place for locals. It is one of the most unique locations with the greatest water splashing. Meanwhile, Chiang Mai is regarded as Songkran’s capital. Because it has a traditional colorful Songkran water celebration with many historical customs still intact.