My First Songkran Day in Singapore

Last Sunday, I joined Songkran Day celebration in UBT (Uttamayanmuni Buddhist Temple). Songkran is a Thai New Year which is celebrated every year from April 13 to April 15. Songkran was traditionally a time to visit and pay respects to elders, including family members, friends and neighbors. But in UBT, the main activities in Songkran are pray, give food to the monks and (the most exiting thing) throwing water. Throwing water has a meaning of its own not just a fun activity. Throwing water to each other believed as a way to give blessing. The water is considered as “blessed” water because it had been poured over the Buddhas for cleansing. In Thailand, throwing water is used to relieve the heat because April is the hottest month.

For me, without even know the meaning of Songkran at the first time, Songkran festival was really fun. First, we did several chant and gave food (or in my case money, because I didn’t bring any food. It was my last Singapore dollar :(( didn’t have money.. hiks.. ) to the monk. Then, after lunch, we followed the parade around the temple. Before the parade, one lady put a cold white powder in my face, so my face had two streaks in each cheek. The parade was lead by Thai music players and dancers, followed by person that brought money tree and the rest of parade participants. We walked and made a little movement like dance around the temple.

Musical Parade

Traditional Music

After the parade, we poured water to Buddha statues and the monks. The monks were sitting near the Buddha statues, so we can pour water on them. Then they can pour the water back to us. It was considered as blessing. There were a lot of people that waited in line to pour the water, and because at first I didn’t know what to do, I queued at almost in the end of the line. After that, we threw water at each other. Everyone is wet. No one is allowed to stay dry. If anyone still looked dry, people would throw water on him/her. Bhikku Keminda, an Indonesian monk in UBT, didn’t want to lose the chance to throw water on us. After the line was over, he got a bunch of water and threw it on us. Such a fun event.

Pouring Water

Me, Helda and Vivi

Even though I was wet and I felt dizzy (and a bit sick again :(( ) after that, I was really happy. It was really fun. Celebrating Songkran day in the UBT was really fun and I cant wait to celebrate Songkran again…..