Pbi Mai Lao: Also known as Songkran, Pbi Mai Lao (Lao New Year) is a three day celebration held every year in mid-April. Unlike Thailand, which holds their New Year on the 13th-15th of the month, Lao still determines the days of its New Year according to the Lunar calendar, so the dates vary. The first day is the last day of the old year, followed by the day between years, and finally the first day of the new year.
Last Day of the Old Year: This day is typically spent preparing for the upcoming celebrations. Buddhas are removed from their altars, both within the home and at the temple, for cleaning, the only time of year in which it is permitted. Practitioners also travel from temple to temple throughout the three days to pour water over the Buddha statues there. Perfume and flowers are frequently added to the water. The water poured over the Buddhas can be collected and then poured on family, friends and monks to cleanse and bless the individual entering the new year. Decorated sand stupas are also brought to the temples and given to the monks during Pbi Mai Lao.
Day Between Years: The second day of the New Year is reserved for thoroughly cleaning the temples and homes. Everyone must remain active, for resting or taking a nap will result in sickness in the upcoming year. The acts of washing the Buddhas and pouring water on others continues throughout the day.
First Day of the New Year: A baci is held to welcome the New Year and to wish good health and good fortune to others. The baci may also be held on the first or second days of the New Year. In the evening, ceremonies are conducted at the temples to place the Buddha images back on their altars and seek forgiveness for any accidental touching of the statues or monks during the New Year celebrations. The festivities end with a vien tien, a candlelight procession, around the temple.
Water Festival: Apart from Pbi Mai Lao and Songkran, this festival is also known as the Water Festival, due to the many water parties held during the three days. Parties are thrown across the country where participants stand on the side of the street and spray or toss water on passers-by, many of them on motorbikes. Not to be caught defenseless, groups of revelers fill barrels with water and load them onto the back of their pick-ups to toss water back at those on the side of the street. Perfume and dyes are sometimes added to the water. Powder is also commonly thrown and, when mixed with the water, can get quite messy. These parties are marked by wild costumes, loud music, dancing and plenty of drinking.
April is the perfect time of year for the Water Festival, since it provides some welcome relief from the heat. April is the hottest month of the year in Laos, with an average high temperature of 35° C (95° F) in some parts of the country. If Pbi Mai Lao falls on a Sunday, the only non-working day of the week in Laos, an additional day off work is given and the celebrations are extended. In the historical capital of Luang Prabang the New Year's celebration typically lasts a full week.