It is our tradition at Don Bsoco school by come together to celebrate and to promote the Cambodian culture as well as to show gratitude to one another. During this celebration day, we will come for prayer, playing traditional games, dancing and watering for one another as a symbol of gratitude, respect and blessing for good fortune. The event will be on April 8 from 7:30 AM till 4:30 AM.

Khmer New Year, is usually a three-day public holiday in Cambodia. In Khmer, it is called ‘Chaul Chnam Thmey’, which means ‘enter the new year’. It is based on the traditional solar new year, that was observed in parts of India and Asia. It falls on either April 13th or April 14th.

First Day – Maha Songkran

The first day of the Khmer New Year is called ‘Maha Songkran’. Similar to the Tamil tradition, it is believed that this was the day of creation. In Khmer tradition, the world was created by God’s angels and to welcome the angels, people will clean their houses and illuminate them with candles. Families will place an idol of Buddha on an altar.

Second Day – Vanabot

Also known as Virak Wanabat, the second day of Khmer New Year is a time to think of the less fortunate. People offer charity by helping the poor, servants and homeless. Families may go to monasteries to pay respect to their ancestors, and it also a time for family members to exchange gifts.

Third Day – Leang Saka

On the third day of New Year celebrations, Buddhists wash and clean statues of Lord Buddha with scented water. This cleansing is done to ensure that Cambodia will receive all the water it needs in the coming year. Another tradition is that children wash and bathe their parents and grandparents in return for blessing and good advice for the future.