Sangken festival celebrated in Arunachal with gladness

Itanagar: The Sangken festival of Theravada Buddhist communities was celebrated with fervor from April 14 to 16 by Theravada Buddhist Society in Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh.

The festival symbolizes new beginnings, love, compassion and gratitude and uses water as a means of spreading happiness.
During Sangken, people engage in traditional rituals of pouring water on Buddha statues and playfully splashing water on each other, as it is believed that the cleansing power of water removes negativity and brings new life into society. Brings energy, positivity and harmony.
The Sangken festival is celebrated as the traditional New Year’s day by the Theravada Buddhist communities from April 14 to 16 in Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Assam.

It coincides with the New Year of many calendars.

Sangken festival is celebrated by Khamti, Singpho, Khamyang, Tangsa tribes of Arunachal Pradesh.

In Assam, this festival is celebrated by the Tai Phake, Tai Aiton and Tai Turung communities.
Sangken usually falls in the month of ‘Nuean Ha’, the fifth month of the Tai lunisolar calendar year corresponding to the month of April.
It is celebrated on the last days of the old year and the new year begins just after the end of the festival.

The main focus of the festival is the sprinkling of clean water, which symbolizes peace and purity.

Buddha images are taken out and after the ritual bath.

The procession is accompanied by drumming, dancing and rejoicing.
Buddha’s holy bath is a good event in the festival.

This celebration continues for three consecutive days.

During the celebration, local people prepare sweets and distribute them at home.

Exchange of gifts is also a common feature of the festival.