Songkran—Thai New Year Apr 13, 2025

Songkran—Thai New Year

New Year celebrations don"t always come with fireworks—sometimes, they come with buckets and a nationwide water splash fest! Thailand"s Songkran festival is a unique mix of spiritual traditions and all-out water fights. Held from April 13 to 15 this year, the holiday is deeply rooted in Buddhist customs and focuses on cleansing and starting afresh. During this time, people visit temples, offer food to monks and pour scented water over Buddha statues and elders" hands as a sign of respect. Those seeking a calmer way to celebrate might consider visiting Wat Tang Sai Temple in Ban Krut, seen in today"s image. Perched on Thong Chai Mountain, this temple complex is home to an over 10-metre-tall Buddha statue and Thai-style pagodas. Built in 1996 to honour King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) on his 50th year of reign (1946–2016), it remains an important spiritual site. With stunning coastline views, Wat Tang Sai offers a peaceful setting to meditate and feel the vibrations of Buddhist chants.

© Ratnakorn Piyasirisorost/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Pretty in pink
Apr 13, 2024Apple trees in spring, Germany

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jul 1, 2024Fisgard Lighthouse, British Columbia, Canada
Jan 19, 2024Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
American Red Cross pioneers
Jan 2, 2026Aerial view of Venice, Italy
Sep 16, 2023Splügen Pass, Switzerland
Apr 1, 2024Palazzo Farnese, Rome, Italy
Oct 25, 2024Golden Temple, Amritsar
Dec 11, 2024International Mountain Day
Sep 14, 2024Rapa Nui National Park, Easter Island, Chile
The Royal touch
Ever seen garlic bloom?
Jan 12, 2025Crescent-tail bigeye fish, Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Nov 2, 2024American bison
Oct 11, 2024Wood duck, Quebec, Canada
The sun sets on the Valley of the Moon
Jul 22, 2025Badlands National Park, South Dakota, United States
The lord of all beginnings
A cantilevered window to the past
Apr 18, 2025International Day for Monuments and Sites
Babbling on and on
Oct 19, 2023Durga Puja
Nov 24, 2023Olympic National Park, Washington, USA
Feb 18, 2024Sperm whale pod surfacing
Where is this historical bridge?
Aug 28, 2025Great white egret, Hungary
Jan 30, 2024Martyrs’ Day
Jan 25, 2024Agra Fort, Agra, Uttar Pradesh
Apr 25, 2025World Penguin Day
May 3, 2025Happy International Astronomy Day!
May 19, 2025Mount Hamilton, San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States