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We celebrated a Lao Pee Mai, Khmer, and Thai New Year at our local temple Wat Greensboro on Sunday April 14, 2013. We had a good turnout, surprisingly more so than the previous years.
The weather was exceptionally nice, good weather to celebrate the water festival, but of course the celebration is totally different than from back home. It’s less water splashing in the US, and more shaving cream. Even this Persimmon tree got a little splash of shaving cream to ring in the New Year.
This is my first time seeing a Jaydee (stupas) made of rice bags and money tree center piece.
People brought in foods to offer to monks and there must have been at least 2000 tiny bowls, I should know since we end up washing the dishes.
Alms giving.
I’m happy to see so many people visiting the temple, the Alms line went all the way to the back.
Food offering to the monks.
Jaydee Cide (Sand Stupas)
Offering the money tree to the temple.
We pour water over Buddha images for blessing and cleansing the rust from our soul.
We songk nom pra or pour water over monk’s hands for blessing.
Bird release ceremony
Khmer New Year game
Live music and Lumvong (Lao/Khmer/Thai traditional dance)
There’s not that many vendors this year, I guess most didn’t expect such a good turnout and many didn’t setup their booths.
Please visit Wat Greensboro Facebook to see more Songkran photos.
All photos were taken with 5DMkIII, Canon 24-105mm f/4L lens.
Nye Noona 
A community coming together is ideal. It is all so very colorful, thank you for sharing!
Thank you seule771, it’s a nice gathering and we have a small Buddhist community.
What a wonderful day you had for this celebration ! Great shots of special moments you all enjoyed together. I like this. Thank you Nye.
Thanks Isa, I tried my best since I was appointed as the temple photographer now. 🙂
Wow ! Félicitations Nye.
🙂
Hi, Boss!
Your temple had more turn out then our did. The sala were less than half full. I don’t know if people care to go, been there and done that, or just waiting to go to other temples. We have 5 temples within and hour drive and they are celebrating back to back. So every weekend from beginning of April until the end of the month will be New Year celebration. But I heard from other other more people show up at our temple in Rockwall later at night and on Sunday. I guess they rather party then pray.
Hi Dallas, sounds like a great photo opportunity in your area. Our family always attend this temple so we don’t visit many temples in our area. I would love to visit temples in Laos during this time of the year, I bet it’s very festive.