Songkran and Thingyan is a Water festival that marks the beginning of the new year in Buddhism and marks the beginning of the traditional Thai New Year and the Burmese New Year. Songkran (April 13th-15th) and Thingyan (April 13th-16th) may have different dates. Both holidays are observed through the water festival (pouring of water on Buddha images and Buddhist Monks) to wash away the past year's misgivings and bad luck, as well as serve as a time for family gatherings.