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Songkran Festival in Lao
Laosโ€ new year in Luang Prabang
Pimai Lao (the Lao New Year, 14-16th
April), is one of the most important dates
in the Lao calendar. As well as being a time
of celebration and endless fun, It has also
become synonymous with holiday, the
celebration of Lao identity, the reinforcement
of family bonds and an opportunity to reflect
on the year ahead.
Although the Lao new year is celebrated in joyous spirit throughout the country, nowhere
hosts more ancient traditions and colorful pageantry than the northern heritage city of Luang
Prabang. Although officially a three day festival, the party always goes on for at least a week.
Highlights
See thousands of sand stupas on the banks of the Mekong, with their colorful banners
and offerings, designed to stop evil spirits from passing into the new year (14th April).
Donโ€t miss the procession of Prabang, one of Laosโ€ most celebrated Buddha images,
which gave Luang Prabang its name in 1512 (โ€Luangโ€ meaning great or royal). The statue
is carried in procession from the former Royal Palace to Vat Mai, followed by hundreds of
monks in their bright orange shrouds. Itโ€s when the statue is installed at Vat Mai that people
can pour water on it, before collecting it as sacred water for blessing friends and family.
On arrival at the temple, Prabang is placed in a sim (an alter similar to a chapel) outside the
temple. There, he receives a final blessing from the alleged ancestors of the first Lao people.
เน’3เน9 Songkran Tradition
