National Independence Day - November 09, 2009

Marks anniversary of independence from France, which was achived in 1953.


The celebration takes place all over the country but particularly in the capital of Phnom Penh at the Independence Monument.


Shaped like a lotus flower, the monument is one of the city's most easily-recognised landmarks. The King usually attends the celebrations and delivers a speech to the crowds.

Cambodia is a very beautiful country located in the southeastern part of Asia. The name of the festival itself tells you that this is a very prestigious festival for the country of Cambodia. The country is rich in its cultural heritage and is steeped in tradition. There are a number of colorful festivals that are held in this country throughout the year. The festivals are very colorful and it is your great chance to mingle with the locals and get a hang of their unique cultural traditions. The Independence Day in Cambodia is one of the most interesting festivals celebrated in Cambodia. If you wish to enjoy the warmth of the festival of Independence Day in Cambodia, you must visit the country of Cambodia during the first week of the month of November.

The Independence Day in Cambodia is generally celebrated on the 9th of November every year. This day is very special to the people of Cambodia because in this particular date the country gained its freedom. Before that the country of Cambodia was under the reign of France. So the importance of the Independence Day of Cambodia is really high and the Cambodian people take this day as one of the most precious days in the whole year. They celebrate the Independence Day in Cambodia with much splendor. Fireworks and parades are arranged in various parts of the country. The whole country is decked up in a myriad hues during this festival. Jump into the bandwagon. Make the most of the season and enjoy your trip to Cambodia.

So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and take part in the festive mood that is pervading in the air of the country of Cambodia. Enjoy the celebration of the Independence Day in Cambodia and turn your trip to Cambodia into a more pleasant and exciting one.

Source: http://www.asiarooms.com/travel-guide/cambodia/festivals-and-events-in-cambodia/independence-day-in-cambodia.html

Upcoming Water Festival

Bon Om Touk - Water and Moon Festival (01-03 November 2009)

For the people of Cambodia, the water Festival (The pirogue Racing Festival) in Phnom Penh is the most magnificent traditional festival. For three days Phnom Penh citizens, foreign tourists and peasants from various provinces gather in the capital to celebrate festival night day.

The water festival had background for so long time. The water festival ceremony is the army training to do attest of the army for preparing to do a battle. In the history, Khmer King always does the battle with enemies by sailing. So he prepares this water festival ceremony every year to choose Champion of sailing battle, as in Bayon Temple, Batteay Chhmar in the Preah Bat Jayvarman VII. We had seen a lot of statues about sailing battle under leading of Jayvarman VII. The custom of this is to have from then up to the present.

On the other hand the water is celebrated every years in November to honor the victory of Cambodian Naval forces in the reign of King JayvarmanVII, during Angkor period of the 12th century.

And this ceremony is to history about military exercise of our navy force in the course of national defense and to express thanks to the 3 Buddhist symbols Gods and holy thing which helped us and agriculture field and serves as an opportunity to pray for our lord for the happiness and sufficient rain for rice cultivation.

Besides the regatta, the water festival also includes three other ceremonies: Illuminated float (Loy Pratip), Moon salutation (Sampeas Preah Khe) and the eating of pestle new special rice with banana or coconut juice (Ork Ambok). The ceremony last three days to provide opportunity for people to by part in competition that there were to types of boats from near and far of provinces, taking part in the races, the pirogue and the rowing boat. Each boat was manned by about thirty to forty men or women. The boat with a man or a woman dancing softly and gracefully to the rhythm of the drums on the bow as an encouragement to the rowers moved swiftly through the water.

There as the race winners will be rewarded a lot of good such as: drink, money, clothes, rice, cigarettes and the commission of the boat racing day must seek donations in order to provide this prize for participants. During the nighttime at about seven o'clock the river was lit by jazzy illuminated boats, which floated slowly, and smoothly on the water's surface. Each of them was equipped with thousands of flashy neon lights arranged in different colorful, fancy patterns representing state institutions, ministries and services.

After a little time fireworks and multi color were lit to entertain people. Some of people made loud noises. They burst into different shapes and colors in the sky under the clapped and cheered with joy each time at the sight of the fireworks.

Finally the water festival is the festivity for the Cambodian people who celebrated every years and going for a walk during the ceremony days really refreshed our mood. The lively festive atmosphere helped relive our tension and trouble.

For more photos of Water Festival and Boat Racing, please visit our Cambodia Photo Gallery at http://www.tourismcambodia.com/photozone/

source: http://www.tourismcambodia.com/tripplanner/events_in_cambodia/?PID=waterfestival

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR