Songkran @ Wat Prazanimit

The next couple of weekends Thai & Laotions around the world will be celebrating (Songkran) New Year 2012 (Pee Mai=New Year). Wat Prazanimit in North Carolina celebrated this weekend among others. Our family will be going to a couple of temples to celebrate.

 

 Almsgiving had good attendance this year. (Even a majority of my family were able to be in attendance-rare sight. Cheers to that!) The temple was packed-with people even sitting outside. It was a warm day too. 

(click photos for larger size)

After almsgiving (begins early in the morning and ends in the afternoon) we head to the outside grounds to celebrate. My favorite part of New Year! There is food, pageant/parade for the New Year, and traditional dancing/music. BTW I reunited with my traditional lao dance teacher!! We became so nostalgic. She was THE BEST teacher.

With the pageant also brought back memories. Wayyy back in the old days- haha. I was runner up in 2002. A very honorable part in the New Year is to be one of the seven & even be crowned. The seven girls represent the seven daughters the past king had. The King died, but the girls would continue to take care of his resting place. (Story told by my mother)

I'm so proud of you girls! Like I said -You are still winners in our book!

Traditional dancers collected monies for the temple.

Lodh nom songk. Pouring water (with thai fragrance) is believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the New Year. My family gathered together for this.

SOK DEE PEE MAI! (Goodluck in the New Year)

Next week- more celebrations at another temple! Hope to get some water/and foam fights! (It's ok, playful fights)