The Songkran celebration is rich with symbolic traditions
The Songkran celebration is rich with symbolic traditions. The morning begins with merit-making. Visiting local temples and offering food to the Buddhist monks are commonly practiced; however, on this specific occasion, performing water pouring on Buddha statues is considered an iconic ritual for this holiday – it represents purification and the washing away all of their sins and bad luck. As a festival of unity, people who have moved away usually return homes to their loved ones and elder family members.As a way to show respect, younger people often practice water pouring over the palms of elders’ hands.
On the same occasion, paying reverence to ancestors is also an important part of Songkran tradition.