Attractions
Lao New Year, Luang Prabang, Laos
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Lao New Year, Luang Prabang, Laos
Lao New Year, called Pi Maior less commonly Songkran , is celebrated every year from 13/14 April to 15/16 April.
Lao New Year is widely celebrated festival in Laos.
Lao New Year takes place in April, the hottest time of the year in Laos, which is also the start of the monsoon season
Traditions
Water
Students first respectfully pour water on their elders, then monks for blessings of long life and peace, and last of all they splash water at each other.
Sand
Sand is brought to the temple grounds and is made into stupas or mounds, then decorated before being given to the monks as a way of making merit
Animals
Another way to make merit at this time is to set animals free. The Lao believe that animals need to be free.
Flowers
Flowers are gathered to decorate Buddha images.
Beauty pageant
There is an annual beauty pageant in Luang Prabang to crown Miss Pi Mai Lao (Miss Lao New Year).
Music and dance
During Lao New Year, there are many spectacles including traditional Lao music and social dancing, molam, and lamvông, which translates to 'circle dancing'