Thingyan

Thingyan (/sɛŋkəmɑ/ listen^ⓘ; Burmese: သင်္ကြန်, Old Mon: သင်ကြာန် ), also known as the Myanmar New Year, is a festival that usually occurs in middle of April. Thingyan marks the transition from the old year to the new one, based on the traditional Myanmar lunisolar calendar. The festival usually spans four to five days, culminating in New Year’s Day, and is one of the most anticipated public holidays across the country. The highlight of the celebration is the symbolic throwing of water, representing the washing away of sins and bad luck from the previous year. People engage in water fights using buckets and water guns, especially during the first four days. Streets become lively with music, dance troupes, and temporary stages called pandal (မဏ္ဍပ်,mandat).

Thingyan is not only a joyful festival but also a time for merit-making. Many people practice religious observances such as almsgiving, releasing fish and birds, and visiting monasteries. It is also customary to pay respect to elders and parents by washing their hair or feet. The New Year coincides with new year celebrations throughout Southeast Asia and South Asia, including Pi Mai in Laos, Songkran in Thailand, the Cambodian New Year, the Sinhalese New Year and the festivals like Vaisakhi (Punjab), Puthandu (Tamil Nadu), Vishu (Kerala) and Bihu (Assam) in India. It was also heavily influenced by Britain during the colonial period.

In 2024, Thingyan was inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, recognizing its cultural significance and contribution to the preservation of regional identity and tradition.