<P> The Songkran celebration is rich with symbolic traditions . Mornings begin with merit - making . Visiting local temples and offering food to the Buddhist monks is commonly practiced . On this specific occasion, performing water pouring on Buddha statues and the young and elderly is a traditional ritual on this holiday . It represents purification and the washing away of one's sins and bad luck . As a festival of unity, people who have moved away usually return home to their loved ones and elders . Paying reverence to ancestors is an important part of Songkran tradition . </P> <P> The holiday is known for its water festival . Major streets are closed to traffic, and are used as arenas for water fights . Celebrants, young and old, participate in this tradition by splashing water on each other . Traditional parades are held and in some venues "Miss Songkran" is crowned . where contestants are clothed in traditional Thai dress . </P> <Ul> <Li> <P> Songkran at Wat Thai, Los Angeles </P> </Li> <Li> <P> Water fights along the west moat, Chiang Mai </P> </Li> <Li> <P> People in a tuk - tuk getting soaked during Songkran, Chiang Mai </P> </Li> <Li> <P> The use of chalk (Thai: ดินสอพอง) is also very common having originated in the chalk used by monks to mark blessings . </P> </Li> </Ul> <Li> <P> Songkran at Wat Thai, Los Angeles </P> </Li>

What animal has it's own festival in thailand