If you find yourself unexpectedly drenched while strolling down the street, don’t be upset; you’ve just been blessed. Welcome to the Water-Sprinkling Festival, one of the world’s top ten carnival celebrations.

The Water-Sprinkling Festival, also known as the Songkran Festival, is a traditional celebration observed in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and among the Dai ethnic group in China. Typically spanning from April 13th to 15th, this jubilant occasion lasts for three days.

The most renowned aspect of Songkran is the water splashing ritual, where people playfully douse each other with water. Though the origins of this custom vary, the essence remains the same—cleansing away the troubles and ailments of the past year to usher in the new year with mutual blessings. During the festival, men and women, young and old, everyone can set aside their reserve, transforming into “devils,” wielding water guns and unabashedly aiming for their targets.

In Bangkok, even fire trucks join the water splashing activity, with the entire city embracing the deluge. The Songkran Festival in Phuket takes it up a notch, featuring not just water guns but “sea guns,” escalating the water-powered revelry.

However, Songkran is not solely about water battles. Similar to the Chinese Spring Festival, Thai households thoroughly clean their homes before the festivities, giving their abodes a fresh start. In Chiang Mai, traditional rituals persist, involving not only water splashing but also a ceremonial Buddha bathing. Prominent temple statues parade through the streets for people to sprinkle with water, seeking blessings. Locals bring sand to the temples to create sand pagodas, towering structures adorned with flags and flowers symbolizing prayers for good fortune. In Cambodia, individuals dressed in new attire seek their partners amidst the romantic splashes of water. Meanwhile, in Laos, a “Miss Songkran” beauty pageant is held, featuring elegantly adorned ladies on elaborate floats that embody beauty and happiness.