What traditional activity involves pouring water over Buddha statues during Songkran?

The Songkran activity of pouring water over Buddha statues is called bathing Buddha images, or Song Nam Phra. It is a ritual of reverence and purification, not merely a playful water fight.

During the ceremony, people gently pour clean or scented water over Buddha images. The statues may be displayed at temples, in homes, or in public spaces so that worshippers can participate. The water is often fragrant, traditionally associated with jasmine and other flowers, and the ritual forms part of temple visits and merit-making during the New Year period.

Songkran water customs have several related forms. Song Nam Phra concerns Buddha images, while Rod Nam Dam Hua involves pouring water over elders’ hands and asking for blessings. Public water splashing developed alongside these religious and family practices, but it is only one part of the festival. Lighting candles, offering food, and making merit are also Songkran activities, yet none specifically names the statue-bathing ritual.