Songkran 2007 Penang

Songkran festival, the traditional new year, is widely observed in Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos from 13rd to 15th April. Songkran is the Sanskrit word in Thai which means the entry of the sun into the zodiac. During the Songkran, old and young people will dress in new cloths and visit temple, food will be offered to the monks. In the afternoon of 13rd April, Buddha images will be bathed as part of the ceremony, after which, everybody will joyfully splash water on each other. It is also known as "Water Festival" as people believe that water will wash away bad luck.
To experience how the Songkran is celebrated in Penang island, a visit to a Myanmar and Thai temple in Burma Road on 15th April 2007...........

Architecture of traditional Thai / Myanmar temples



The interior of the temples





The prayer...


Wishing for good luck and pails of water ready for party...


The water war and ....facial treatments?



Three musketeers ...



Beauties and the beast?


Men's cooking ..... and medical services...


Hawkers' items.