Only in Cambodia – unique festivals that you want to join

Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and Angkor Wat are some of the most famous tourist attractions making Cambodia one of the most stunning tourist destinations in the world. Besides, the beautiful country of temples is also chosen by a lot of tourists thanks to some unique festivals all year around. Indochina travel Cambodia

Chol Chnam Thmay (New Year Festivals)

Khmer-New-Year-Festival
Khmer-New-Year-Festival

Held at the middle of April, Chol Chnam Thmay aims at celebrating the New Year with the expectation for luck. Moreover, not only meaning the beginning of water season to prepare for the upcoming crop, this festival also means the ending of drought season.

In Cambodia, all families make colorful lanterns and then drop them on the lake on New Year’s Eve. It is believed that the family having bright lanterns all night long will receive more fortunes. Visiting Cambodia during the time of Chol Chnam Thmay Festival, you can see brilliant flowers and lights cover all temples and roads leading to the Royal as well as join a lantern festival full of colors created by thousands of sparking lanterns.

Bom Chaul Chnam (Festival of rice harvest)        

Bom Chaul Chnam
Bom Chaul Chnam-source: phnompenhtravel.info

 The festival of rice harvest – the Bom Chaul Chnam is the biggest festival in Cambodia. Every year, it takes place from 13th to 15th April, in Tet holiday. During this time, with the belief in a bumper crop next year, people meet and splash water onto each other. In some countries with the agricultural civilization like Myanmar, Laos and Thailand, this festival is also held.

Taking part in the water festival should be the most wonderful. For those who want to enjoy the uniqueness of one of the traditional festivals in Cambodia together with relax in cool water, it is such a good chance.

Bon Om Touk Festival

Ban Om Touk
Ban Om Touk -source: stowawaymag.com

The Bon Om Touk festival is organized once a year, on the full moon day of Buddhist month. People hold this festival to memorize a natural phenomenon: the backflow between the Mekong River and Tonle Sap Lake.

The Bon Om Touk Festival, which lasts 3 days, is an excellent occasion for Cambodians to have relaxing time by organizing some amazing activities on the banks of the river. In addition, other factors attracting tourists are dance or music of Khmer people and the unique regattas on the river. Cambodia tours

Preah Neanng Korl (Royal Plowing Ceremony)

Preah Neanng Korl
Preah Neanng Korl –source: www.sokhahotels.com

Held by the Royal in the early rainy season (normally May 6thevery year), the Preah Neanng Korl is one of the most stunning cultural festivals in Cambodia. No matter how advanced the science technology is, most Cambodian people still preserve and believe in the Preah Neanng Korl which takes place with the goal of weather forecast for a fertilized crop and effective plants.

It is popular that monks say the prayer; bless citizens, the leaders of the country and Royal family at the beginning of the ceremony. And then, the king or queen will plow by driving a pair of ox. After plowing, they will release and lead oxen to 7 golden trays containing alcohol, water and seeds.

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