Happy Songkran

Elmhurst, NY — April 13, 2014

4 Comments

4 Responses to Elmhurst, NY — April 13, 2014

1. Samantha Wallace says:

   April 14, 2014 at 6:58 am

   Excellent image! However, I can only guess the definition of Songkran.
   • Sam says:

     April 14, 2014 at 11:55 am

     Songkran comes from Sanskrit, saṅkrānti (or, more specifically, meṣa saṅkrānti) (from wikipedia). Its an astrological reckoning – still celebrated in Hindu communities (though not as far as I know as a “New Year”). It marks the moment the Sun transits the constellation “Aries” – which is the first astrological sign in Vedic (sidereal) astrology, thus can be one way to measure the ‘start’ of the year! In Vedic systems this can vary based on luni-solar correspondences, and thus doesn’t fall on the same day, thus Vedic “chaitra shukla pratipada” corresponds loosely with equinox and Songkran, but varies. Some modern Hindus celebrate on the first day of the month Chaitra (which varies based on luni-solar corrections). It is also called “Vaisakhi” in Sikh celebrations. This clearly also correlates with Passover and Easter, all derive from Spring-Equinox-celebrations that have become fixed to the gregorian calendar or remain luni-solar and reckoned differently in different communities. (e.g. based also on new moon, not just equinox, and/or, the sun’s position with regard to astrological signs, which as we all know, changes slowly in time, making this reckoning vary compared to the spring equinox. (see precession of the equinox)
2. barbara DIckins says:

   April 14, 2014 at 1:09 pm

   I wish there was a a flag like that in the Fairfield square.
   It’s beautiful!
3. Obaachan says:

   April 15, 2014 at 11:05 am

   Very festive! I am interested in walking by that Thai Buddhist Temple to see the architecture.

Today is Songkran, the Thai New Year holiday. A short walk from my home is a local Thai Buddhist Temple where they had blocked off the street and were having a day-long party with rock music, food, flowers, buddhas, candles, incense, and, yes, the water guns! I turned my camera heavenward. (Photograph Taken April 2014)

Film and Camera: Canon EOS 40D - Digital RAW

PAST PHOTOS OF THE WEEK:
2005 - all	2007 - all	2009 - all	2011 - all	2013 - all
2006 - all	2008 - all	2010 - all	2012 - all	2014 - all