4 most fascinating water festivals in Southeast Asia

In mid-April every year, water festivals in many Southeast Asian countries propitiate the heat of the tropics and to brighten up the color of a festive atmosphere. Let’s discover 4 most fascinating water festivals in Southeast Asia.

Water festivals in many Southeast Asian countries are taking place in from April 13th to April 15th. The highlight of this unique festival is people splash water together as a way of expressing their wishes for luckier, more healthy and happiness in the New Year. With livingnomads.com “roll call” Southeast Asian countries are famous for this water festival

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

The Lao people call the water festival is Bunpimay(Boun Pi Mai), the water festival is held jubilantly over Elephant country, but the most fun if in the Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng ancient capital. On the last day of the old year, people clean up in their house and the alley outside, preparing the fragrant water and flowers. Then, focus at the temple to make Buddhist ceremony, pray, hear the monks preaching, wishing more healthy and happy for the whole year.

During the three days of the Lunar New Year, visitors come to the home. They will be tagged by the owner with a green or red thread, symbol of happiness and health. In addition, people also use the flowers (yellow scorpion) append the car and hung on the house to pray for good luck, or Champa flowers into clusters, release the animals living under the water to pray for blessings in New Year.

The water festival usually celebrated on the third day of the New Year. Before splashing water, people often give good wishes together. To express their heart, young people often splash water for older people, hoping for a long life. They not only splash the water for people but also in the house, worship items, animals. Lao people believe that water will help to wash bad things, diseases and wish good luck and good 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 13 to 15 of April) (also known as Chol Chnam Thmay, on the main roads leading to the palace, the temples with lights. On New Year’s Eve, people burn incense to take the old Téveda god off and pick Téveda Thmay up the house.

On the second day, everyone performs rice into the bowls which are used by the monks, as a tribute and receive their good wishes. The third day is Buddha bathing. After religious ceremonies at temples, people participate in street festivals such as water splashing and color powder coating.

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 New Year Eve’s is the beginning of many religions activities. Before dark, real funs activities begin with music, dancing … The next day when Thingyan really begins. After a command, a cannonball is fired and people come to the roads with water splashing, praying and pouring water into the ground.

In large cities such as Yangoon, watering hoses in the garden, large water pipes which made of bamboo, copper, or plastic, water pumps. And other water spray appliances are used with cups that can only be used to splash the water gently, even water poles and fire hoses can be used. This is the hottest time of the year so water splashing is welcomed.

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

4.Songkran Water Festival, Thailand

The water festival Songkran falls on the hottest time of the year. This is the time when Thais pay tribute to the Buddha, clean the house, and splash water to the elder people. During the festival, many parades and beauty contests are held. People also cook traditional dishes and wear colorful costumes. All people can splash water without fear of being scolded. Also, they splash more water, New Year with more luck and more success. Except for splashing water, the Thai also put flour on the face, on objects to remove ghosts, risk away in life.

Bangkok is a good place to hell many largest activities. People here often gather in Khao San Road. It is one of the most special places with the most water splashing. Meanwhile, Chiang Mai is considered the capital of Songkran. Because it has a Songkran water festival in traditional colorful with many ancient customs still preserved.

Songkran Water Festival
Location: Silom Road, Khao San Road or RCA
Opening times: From 13th to 15th of April

Read more Southeast Asia travel guide at here.