India, April 14 -- Sawasdee thuk khon! That's Thai for "hello, everyone," and it's how Thailand kicks off Songkran - the country's traditional New Year that begins today. While most think of January as the start of a new calendar, in Thailand, this sun-soaked, water-drenched celebration is the true marker of renewal.

Rooted in the Sanskrit word Sankranti, meaning the movement of the sun between zodiac signs, Songkran is more than just a date. It's a cultural explosion of rituals, family and of course - food. Across Thailand, families visit temples, make offerings to monks, and then - quite literally - drench each other in water. But this isn't your chaotic Holi-style splashfest; Songkran's water play is joyful, yet respectful, a symbolic...