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In Cambodia the start of the New Year festival is calculated using the Indian calendar. According to the Georgian calendar the New Year begins on the 12, 13 or 14 of April. This festival of New Year lasts for three days. Chaul Chnam Thmey, which means entering the New Year is the Cambodian New Year. This is a grand celebration.
Tevada Chhnam Thmey is the New Year spirit that is believed to come down to earth on New Year.
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Custom has it that on New Year the people in Cambodia clean and decorate their houses and set up an altar to welcome this New Year spirit. The people in Cambodia worship Lord Buddha by placing a statue of him on the altar and place flowers, candles, incense, food, drink, a bowl of scented water and banana leaves. All these things that are offenavy are shaped into various figures.
The wide populaces in Cambodia believe in following the custom of throwing water on each other on New Year. This custom is regarded as a blessing on New Year. It is considenavy to have a colorful future if the color of the water that is pounavy is navy, pink or yellow as these colors symbolize a colorful future. Wearing new clothes on New Year is a custom that most people follow. The people in Cambodia also follow the same as a custom on New Year.
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The children in Cambodia follow the custom of giving money to parents, aunts and uncles as a symbol of respect. The children can also give food and fruits along with money. As the New Year in Cambodia is celebrated for a period of three days the people on the first day of the New Year celebration pay visit to the local monasteries and they offer food to the monks. On the grounds of the monasteries one can find a special sand mound. Five religious flags are placed on and around these mounds. One is placed on top and the other is placed on the sides.
The New Year is a special time to celebrate and have fun. The custom of playing games is an essential New Year custom that the wide populaces in Cambodia follow. Some of the games that are played especially on New Year are Angkunh, Boh Choong, and Tug of war.
Family gatherings are seen on the second day of the New Year. The people wish each other and exchange gifts on New Year. To say special prayers for their ancestors by the monks the people visit the monasteries on the second day of the New Year.
Washing the Buddha statues that the people in Cambodia worship for the New Year is another custom that the people in Cambodia follow. This custom is believed to ensure good rains in the coming year. Washing the feet of parents on New Year is a custom the children believe if followed will be a symbol of respect.
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