Songkran festival is celebrated not only just religiously, but also is the occasion for the family reunion. As such, the celebration begins with early morning merit-making offering food to Buddhist monks and releasing caged birds to fly freely into the sky. Paying homage to one’s ancestors, friends, neighbors, and monks, is an important part of the day. People will pay their respects to the elders by pouring scented water over the palms of their hands. The elders in return wish the youngsters good luck and prosperity. In the afternoon, after performing a bathing rite for Buddha images and the monks, the celebrants both young and old, joyfully splash water on each other. In Bangkok, the Buddha image “Buddhasihing” is brought out from the Nation Museum for people to sprinkle lustral water “holy water” at Sanam Luang opposite the Grand Palace.