Chaul Chnam Thmay is the New Year celebration which scheduled Khmer’s traditional calendar. Chaul Chnam Thmay Festival is the New Year as well as Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka. In addition to the fact that the main religions are Buddhism, Khmer people believe that every year there is a God in heaven (Tevoda) sent down to take care of human life and come back in the end of the year, and afterwards the other will replace . These days become the traditional festival of the whole Cambodian community. Read more: Tours in Cambodia
Chaul Chnam Thmey, the Cambodian New Year
Chol Chnam Thmay Festival lasts 3 days (13 – 15/4 each year). In three days, people often go to the pagoda in order to offer prayers for their own health, wealth and prosperity. They bring flowers to the pagoda to hear the lecture in the morning and perform the ritual bathing Buddha. Instead of blessing the beginning of the year, the Cambodian welcome the New Year by the ceremonial pouring water on each other. Regardless of adults, children, foreign tourists, they all join in pouring water cheerfully.
The pouring water in Cambodia
The first day known as Chaul Say Thmay Kran means that the beginning day of the New Year. On this day, people dress up and carry incense, lamps and offerings to the temple. At the temple, people will hold chanting and sprinkling water in some places to farewell the god of the old year, banish evil spirits and clean bad luck things of the old year. Travel to Cambodia
Chaul Say Thmay Kran means
On the second day called as Wanabat (Wonbof), Khmer carry out the ritual New Year celebration. The first activity is Mahasoongkran. The procession goes around three times to the main temple and after that, Buddhist people will chant to await the New Year God. During this time, the Youth organizes games such as: blindfold, cock, bag dancing, polishing or entertainment shows.
During the final day, Tngai Laeung Saka (Lom Sak), after offering breakfast and lunch to the monks, people join in bathing Buddha ceremony. In the family, people bath grandparents, parents in hopes of that bathing will clean the dust of the old year and bless happy life for the old.
Bathing the Buddha
You can book a three-day trip to explore this special event in Cambodia such as Mekong river tour, Mekong river cruise, Mekong delta cruises, Mekong travel etc.
The Indochina Voyages team.
