In spite of the beginning of the rain, May, when plenty of sunshine is still expected and the numbers of visitors are far lower than those in these previous months, is still such a good time to visit Cambodia with: Indochina tours Cambodia. Even though temperatures remain high, the rains help break the humidity making it a little more comfortable with the average temperature of 29 °C. Avoiding the short and heavy showers, travelers can find that May, with one great benefit being the thinner crowds at the Angkor Temples, is a very pleasant month to be in Cambodia.
Key Festivals & Religious Ceremonies
Visak Bochea – Date of birth, enlightenment & death of Buddha
A candle procession in the evening of Visak Bochea- source: internet
Called Bon Visakh Bochea in the Khmer language, Visak Bochea day is the Birthday of Buddha falling on the 15th day of the waxing moon in the 6th lunar month that is often May in the Gregorian calendar. In the evening of this day, they hold a candle procession, which you are never able to forget even if you just have seen it once.
Early in the morning, people go to the temples to offer food and sweets to the monks and attentively listen to the preaching of the religious figures. During these festival days, a torchlight procession takes place at the twilight and they walk all the way around the main shrine three times. Travel to Cambodia
Called as Bon Chroat Preah Nongkoal in the Khmer language, the Royal Plowing Ceremony, which is annually solemnly celebrated in May, at the beginning of the sowing and planting season, takes place at the park in front of the National Museum (next to the Royal Palace). Cambodia has deep connection with farming and earth. There is a strongastrological belief that royal oxen known in Khmer as Usapheak Reach, play an instrumental part in forming the result of the agricultural harvest every year.
Traditionally, the Queen, the Preah Mehuo, sows seeds from behind the King Meak, representing the king of Cambodia, who ploughs the field. They ceremoniously plough the field three times around. Then, the royal servants take the royal oxen to seven golden trays containing water, beans, corn, rice, sesame seeds, grass and wine to feed. The royal soothsayers interpret what the oxen have eaten and predict a series of events including good harvests, floods, epidemics and excessive rainfall. At this festival, everybody, women as well as men wear brightly colored Khmer traditional costume.
Visak Bochea- source: internet
In the luminous procession, people carry flowers and light up incense sticks as well to pray silent rest to Buddha. The mothers meditate, following the preaching of Lord Buddha. During the Visak Bochea, some of their sons also become priest with the intention of repaying their parents and their ancestors in the future.
- 2014: May 13th
- 2015: June 1st
- 2016: May 20th
- 2017: May 10th
Royal Plowing Ceremony – Date in the current year: May 24th, 2017
Called as Bon Chroat Preah Nongkoal in the Khmer language, the Royal Plowing Ceremony, which is annually solemnly celebrated in May, at the beginning of the sowing and planting season, takes place at the park in front of the National Museum (next to the Royal Palace). Cambodia has deep connection with farming and earth. There is a strongastrological belief that royal oxen known in Khmer as Usapheak Reach, play an instrumental part in forming the result of the agricultural harvest every year.
Traditionally, the Queen, the Preah Mehuo, sows seeds from behind the King Meak, representing the king of Cambodia, who ploughs the field. They ceremoniously plough the field three times around. Then, the royal servants take the royal oxen to seven golden trays containing water, beans, corn, rice, sesame seeds, grass and wine to feed. The royal soothsayers interpret what the oxen have eaten and predict a series of events including good harvests, floods, epidemics and excessive rainfall. At this festival, everybody, women as well as men wear brightly colored Khmer traditional costume.
Royal Plowing Ceremony-an ancient rite marking the beginning of the rice growing season- source: internet
This cultural ceremony is an ancient rite marking the beginning of the rice growing season in many countries in Asia. In Cambodia, the Royal Plowing Ceremony, which is one of the country’s public holidays, is celebrated on the 4th day of the 6th lunar month’s waning moon.
This ceremony has a dual origin – Buddhist and Hindu. At some point in history, there were two similar ceremonies merging into a single one. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a plow. Then priests sow rice while the oxen plough a furrow in a ceremonial rice field.
King’s Birthday – Date in the current year: Saturday May 13th, 2017
King’s Birthday- source: internet
King’s Birthday was established to celebrate the birthday of King Norodom Sihamoni, who was born on May 14th 1953 and has been the sovereign of Cambodia since October 29th 2004.
After his father Norodom Sihanouk abdicated in 2004 due to ill health, Norodom Sihamoni was chosen by a nine-member throne council to become the next king. In spite of the fact that King Norodom Sihamoni’s father also was King, Cambodia’s King is an elected monarch, making this country one of the few elected monarchies in the world.
How is Cambodian King’s Birthday Celebrated?
On this occasion, the King makes offerings to monks and poor, disabled people. Cambodian fly the Cambodia’s national flag at their houses while many government’s buildings are covered in lights and pictures of the King.
See more:
Avoid Crime and Tuk Tuk Scams in Cambodia part 1
Staying Safe After Dark in Cambodia
Asia Travel Lover
