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Songkran Festival in Myanmar

Background

Thingyan from Sanskrit which
means โ€œtransit of the Sun from Pisces
to Ariesโ€ is the Burmese New Year
Festival and usually falls around
mid-April. It is a Buddhist festival
celebrated over a period of four to
five days, culminating in the New
Year. The dates of the Thingyan
Festival are calculated according to
the Burmese calendar. The dates of the festival are observed as public holidays throughout
Myanmar, and are part of the summer holidays at the end of the school year. Water-throwing
or dousing one another from any shape or form of vessel or device that delivers water is the
distinguishing feature of this festival and may be done on the first four days of the festival.

Thingyan is comparable to other festivities in the region such as the Songkran in Laos,
the Thailand, the Cambodian New Year

Modern-day celebrations

During the Water Festival, the Myanmar government relaxes the restrictions on gatherings.
In the former capital, Yangon, the government permits crowds to gather on the Kandawgyi Pet
Lann and Kabaraye Roads. Temporary water-spraying stations, known as pedals are set up, and
double as dance floors. Many of these pavilions are sponsored by families and businesses.

Songkran Tradition เน‘เน™