Water Festival in Cambodia Date in the current year: November 14, 2024
Water Festival is held in Cambodia in November and it's one of the most popular festivals of the year. The festival lasts for three days, giving every one an opportunity to enjoy the celebration of the natural phenomenon, when the Tonle Sap River reverses its flow.The Cambodian name for the festival is Bon Om Touk and it has several interesting cultural and military traditions. Bon Om Touk ceremony includes the army training to do attest. Khmer Kings always give battles by sailing, that is why Water Festival is an opportunity to celebrate naval victories and chose a Champion of a sailing battle.
Apart the regatta traditional celebration of Water Festival includes eating a special dish of rice, ceremony of salutation to the moon and taking illuminated boats to water. During the three days of celebration people enjoy a special dish Ak Ambok, that is made of rice, mixed with banana and coconut.
The ceremony of taking illuminated boats to the water (Bandaet Pratip) begins at around 7 pm. The river is illuminated by boats, slowly and smoothly floating on the surface of water. Every boat represents a government ministry or a state institution and it's equipped with thousands of flashy neon lights.
The ceremony of salutation to the moon (Sampeah Preah Khae) begins at midnight. People gather at pagodas and enjoy Ak Ambok.
* date for 2024
Remind me with Google CalendarCategory
- Public Holidays
Country
- Cambodia
Tags
- water festival in cambodia, bon om touk, public holiday, observances in cambodia, tonle sap river