Prachum Benda ()("Ancestors' Day"), more commonly known as
Pchum Ben, is a Cambodian religious festival, culminating in celebrations on the 15th day of the tenth month in the
Khmer Calendar. In 2008, the national holiday fell on the 28th - 30th of September in the
Gregorian calendar.
The day is a time when many Cambodians pay their respects to deceased relatives. People cook meals for monks, bring offerings to the temple and throw rice near the temple early in the morning, believing that the ghosts of their ancestors will receive it.. The festival is celebrated mostly among Cambodian Buddhists. Although its a Buddhist holiday in Cambodia, its not celebrated in other Theravada Buddhist countries like
Thailand,
Laos,
Burma, and
Sri Lanka.
See also
