The Water Festival

Another most famous festivals in Cambodia is the Water Festival, also known as Bon Om Touk. Every year in the autumn, generally in November, it lasts three days (the date depends on the lunar calendar).

For a long time, the water festival had been in the background. The army training for the water festival ritual is to put the army through its paces in preparation for a conflict. Throughout history, the Khmer King has always fought his adversaries via sailing. So, as at Bayon Temple, Banteay Chhmar in the Preah Bat Jayavarman VII, he prepares this water festival ritual every year to choose the Champion of Sailing Battle. We observed a lot of sculptures depicting sailing wars fought under Jayvarman VII's command. From then till now, it has been customary to do so.

People from all across the country flock to the capital, Phnom Penh, for the Water Festival, which includes the following events: Races involving dragon boats The royal ships are lit up. Displays of fireworks, Evening concerts are free.
The celebration commemorates the conclusion of the rainy season, as well as the beginning of the dry season. The Tonle Sap River's flow has been reversed (a rare natural phenomenon, wherein the river flows in one direction for 6 months and in the other direction for the other half of the year), The Khmer people have two epic naval triumphs over the Champa kingdom and Vietnam (these are thought to have inspired the boat races).

Date: November 18th - November 20th