New Year Celebrations in Cambodia: the best way to discover Cambodia

Cambodia’s most cherished and significant holiday of the year is the Khmer New Year which is celebrated for three whole days.  This colourful and lively celebration takes place annually from the 14th to the 16th of April.

The Khmer New Year is undoubtedly the best event of the year where visitors get to discover all the interestingly unique cultural traditions of Cambodia. According to the lunar calendar the period between the 14th and 16th of April is regarded as the end of the former year and the beginning of another.  The Cambodian New Year is when the harvesting season comes to an end.  It is a time when family, relatives and friends get together and enjoy themselves.

Religion plays a vital role in the Cambodian New Year, also known as the Khmer New Year. Locals never forget to decorate temples and shrines, attend religious ceremonies and receive blessings from monks during this time of the year. Decorating homes, performing rituals, preparing traditional food and even taking part in traditional games and sports are also must do things for Cambodians during the New Year celebrations.  Some of the most popular games include Tres, Chol Chhoung, Chab Kon Kleng, Leak Kanseng, Bay Khom and much more.

One of the most common activities that take place during the season is the sprinkling of holy water.  Pouring dyed water and tossing powder on relatives and friends is also a common sight.  The initial day of the festivity is referred to as Moha Sangkran. On this day the people of Cambodia clean their homes and place a statue of Lord Buddha and worship it with candles, flowers and food. These food and drinks are usually offered to priests and monks.

The following day which is called Vanabot by locals is the day when people engage in charitable activities such as donating alms and gifts to the poor and even offering gifts to family and relatives. Leung Sakk is the third day of the celebration. On this day, the statues of Lord Buddha are washed with perfumed water.  Locals believe that this activity ensures rains throughout the year.

Travellers can easily visit Cambodia during the middle of April and join in the fun and activity of this festive season. The best way to melt into this merry mood is by staying at a fine Siem Reap hotel such as Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor. This lavish Angkor hotel ensures warm hospitality, friendly service and maximum comfort for any type of traveller visiting Cambodia.