The traditional New Year festival in South and Southeast Asia is celebrated around April 13 every year, coinciding with the sun's entry into the constellation of Aries. This festival is observed in countries such as Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, parts of India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and the Maldives. Known as Songkran in Thailand, it is one of the largest public holidays, marked by a five-day celebration that includes visiting relatives, offering food to monks, and participating in colorful parades. A significant custom during Songkran is the ritual of pouring water on Buddha statues and each other, symbolizing the washing away of sins and bad luck, which has evolved into large-scale water fights. In Laos, the festival is referred to as Pi Mai, where people use perfumed water for similar cleansing rituals. Myanmar celebrates Thingyan, while Sri Lanka observes Sinhalese New Year, which is embraced by most Sri Lankans. In Cambodia, the New Year is marked by preparing special dishes and engaging in traditional games.