Sangken_the water festival of Tai Khamptis

Sangken is a socio-religious festival and traditional ethos of the Khamptis, the Singphoos and the Tikhaks (Tangsas), follower of Theravada or Hinayana Sect of Buddhism. The essence of the water festival lies in bringing the intrinsic values of life of Buddha and its teaching to its devotees. The water festival is marked as to bid adieu to the old year and an advent of a New Year for the community to usher a fresh era of socio-cultural development bringing with it prosperity, greenery, health and joy. This festival generally falls in the month of ‘Naun –Ha’ (fifth month of the year) fixed as per astrological calculation of Khampti Calendar and coincides to the Sankranti of Baishakh. SO JOIN IN THE FUN AND BE PREPARED TO GET WET? VERY WET!

For celebration of Sangken festival devotees takes the idols of Lord Buddha	An elderly man places the idol of Lord Buddha at the temporary shrine during	Devotees offer prayer at the Boddhi tree.	Devotees offer prayer at the Pagoda of Peace
Celebrants pour water at the Kyongfra-temporary shrine to invoke the blessing	Devotees offering prayer at the temporary shrine where the idols of Lord Buddha	With support from his mom the child joyfully splash water on her aunt to celebrate	With support from his mom the child joyfully splash water on her aunt to celebrate
Celebrants pour water at the Kyongfra temporary shrine to invoke the blessing	The Head monk of Theravada Monastery offers his prayer at the Pagoda.	Celebrants gleefully splash water on each other.	Celebrants splash water onto each other to greet one another peace and prosperity.
Sangken memories	As tall as you are: With support from his aunt the child pours water at the	At the Water Festival	The child finds his own way to celebrate Sangken.