Lao New Year

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Songkran- Celebrate Thai New Year

Be ready to get soaked in the festive celebration of Thai New Year in the glamorous capital city of Bangkok. The Songkran (meaning ‘move over' or ‘astrological passage' in Sanskrit) is celebrated as the traditional New Year's Day in Thailand and is held from 13th to 15th April. It marks the time when the sun leaves Pisces and changes to Aries horoscope for the beginning of a solar new year.

Join in the fun of splashing water on each other and get drenched in festival fever amidst the sunny heat of the season. In addition, there is much more to this occasion as it is also a time when the Thais come home to take part in the religious ceremonies with their families and loved ones. It is also considered as an opportunity to express and strengthen their love and respect towards ancestors, cultivate social accountability and exercise religious devotion.

During this festival, there is a custom in which beautiful girls from Paklat, Phra Pradaeng near Bangkok get together to form a procession where they carry bowls of live fish which are released to the river. Meanwhile, the eligible bachelors of Bangkok visit Paklat in search of their soul mates. On the following day, a fist full of sand is carried to the temples where it is piled on small stupas to compensate for the dust they have carried away on their feet in the past year. Likewise, the Therevada Buddhist cousins of the neighbouring Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar host the largest and the most spectacular of Thailand's religious festivals. It is one of the most dazzling festivals held richly nationwide.

Some of the places you can visit during this festival include Sanam Luang which is opposite to the Grand Palace where the Songkran Budhdha image is escorted to the streets from the National Museum for people to sprinkle water on. The image sits here for three days and those who missed the event pay respect. Furthermore, sand stupas are built and decorated with multicoloured flowers, flags and are displayed around the main temples of Rattanokosin area. Also, be amazed by the Miss Songran beauty contest held in Wisukasat area which presents a wide array of entertainment and heavenly food.

Experience this intriguing cultural event by staying at an ideal choice of Bangkok Serviced Apartments . Be sure to have a pleasurable holiday and the best of Sukhumvit Accommodation by being close to the attractions as well as the commercial hub of activity. Located in walking distance to a wide array of entertainment, Citadines Bangkok Sukhumvit11 is a pleasantly comfortable option with exceptional facilities.

About the Author

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

Lao New Years 2009 [ Saginaw,TX ] [HD] Part 1


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Lao New

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Symbolic Flowers of the Chinese New Years

New Years throughout the east are celebrated based on lunar calendar or lunisolar calendar as opposed to the Gregorian calendar followed in the west. Many traditional flowers are seen as part of the celebration and each flower holds a different meaning. The first new moon in the month of late January or February marks the beginning of Lunar New Year. Lunar New Year is celebrated as Chinese New Year, Japanese New Year, Thai New Year, Cambodian New Year and Lao New Year. New Years are always associated with new beginnings, fresh start, and time to welcome good times and have fun!

Traditional Chinese New Year Flowers

Water fairy - Shiu Sin Fa - Narcissus

The contrast between the beautiful flower and the narrow leaf growing out from the brown bulbs signifies beginning of new year.This flower is the most common New Year flowers seen in Chinese New Year festival and it is adored for its pure snow white petals and heavenly fragrance.

Peach blossoms - To - Prunus

The peach blossoms come in pale pink, pink to coral red colors. The larger branches are pretty costly and are affordable only by the well to do. Peach tree is a symbol of wisdom.

Chinabells - Tiu Chung Fa - Enkianthus

Each cluster has 4-15 flowers. Buyers often go for purchasing branches consisting of the most number of flowers as larger clusters are believed to bring in more luck. This bell-shaped mountain flower, identifiable by its clusters of rose, white and pale pink flowers, makes a fine New Year flower.

Azalea - To Kuen - Rhododendron

Traditionally this flower used to come in two shades - brick red and lavender tinged. Azalea, the lovely sparkling flower grows in mountainous terrains. The color red is a very auspicious color of the Chinese and it is a symbol of prosperity. In recent years other colors of azalea too have come up in the New Year flower market.

Peony - Mau Tan - Paeonia

Peony flower is similar to the forget me not of America. Peony flowers are not bought by customers if the buds have not opened. It is a pale pink flower, 4-5 inches in diameter. It is a symbol of remembrance. They are given to friends and loved ones while departing.

Waxflower/Wintersweet - Lap Mooi/La Mei Hua - Chimonanthus

They are eagerly sort because of its rarity. These are delicate waxy yellow flowers with striped brown sepals and are very fragrant.

Camellia - Shan Ch'a - Camellia japonica

This is a very special flower and is offered to God at temples with special prayers and requests. They are sold as potted shrubs in the market during the New Year sale. It is a shrub with dark green and shiny leaves adorned with delicate pink colored flowers. The other types are red and white, which sometime are not available during the holiday season.

 

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Lao News 30/04/10


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