Happy Khmer New Year

Happy Khmer New Year!

Cambodian New Year or the Chaul Chnam Thmey, is celebrated for three days in April (the first month in the Khmer calendar). It usually falls on April 13th or 14th and represents the end of the harvesting season.

Already a couple of day’s earlier, people in Cambodia are preparing for the festivity. Houses are being cleaned (to drive out evil spirits) and special meals are being cooked.

Everyday people visit temples to get blessings from monks and priests. Various rituals are being performed  such as building a sand hill, representing Buddha’s five disciplines, on the temple grounds and decorate it with five religious flags one on the top and four around the sides.

Part of the joy includes playing games and dancing throughout the villages with friends and families.

Warmest wishes for the upcoming year from the staff and the children at Angkor Hospital for Children