Royal Ploughing Day (May 02, 2010)

Preah Reach Pithi Chrot Preah Neangkol" (ព្រះរាជពិធីបុណ្យច្រត់ព្រះនង្គ័ល)

It is culturally celebrated to alert the nation of the commencement of rainy season, and farmers to be ready for farming rice by starting to plough. The venue is a field at a wing of Royal Palace, Phnom Penh. The scene is interesting as it depicts real ploughing activities where cows are given a variety of crops to eat. Based on the choices of crops eaten by the cows, prediction are made for the coming year. Click here for more details about Ploughing Ceremony.

The date of the ceremony is usually in May, but varies as it is determined by Hora (astrology) (Khmer:ហោរា​សាស្រ្ត (hourasastr)).

This year, Cambodia's king Norodom Sihamoni presided over the annual royal plowing ceremony in the famed Angkor complex, near Bayon temple in Siem Reap province, about 320 kilometers (200 miles) north of Phnom Penh.