Cambodian New Year

Cambodia better known as the land of 'khmer people' celebrates Cambodian new year with great religious fervor and spirit. New year in Cambodia is celebrated as 'khmer new year' which falls either on April 13th or 14th depending on the lunar calendar . The new year celebrations in Cambodia are followed as per the Buddhist religious norm. The festival lasts for nearly 3 days and is celebrated with great fun fair . Each day of the celebration is unique and further named as-- the first day is called 'Moha Sangkran', the second day celebrated as 'Wanabot' and the final day is 'Leung Sakk'. During these three days the younger ones of the family together along with the elders decorate their houses with lights and offer prayers to Lord Buddha. People also share gifts and new year wishes are exchanged between their loved ones.

During the new year celebrations in Cambodia special prayer meetings are held at various temples in and around country attracting thousands of devotees. Tourists also gather in large numbers to witness the new year festival in Cambodia. Monasteries in Cambodia are brightly decorated with lights and beautiful flower decorations are done to give it a festive look. The new year's eve in Cambodia is celebrated as 'Chaul Chnam Thmney' where Cambodian new year greetings are exchanged between people wishing each other joy, prosperity and luck in the coming year.
As a part of the new year festival, various exciting sporting events and competitions are held at different cultural fair's which are better known as 'khmer games'. Traditional Cambodian new year is observed through various folk dances as 'Angkor dance'; 'Brahma Sacnavy dance' performed by girls at various community halls in Cambodia. One of the major attractions of the new year celebrations in Cambodia is the new year parade performed at the capital city of Phnom Penh.