Cambodia is regarded among world nations as a country with a rich culture of exciting shades of traditional music and delicious food. If you are planning to pay a visit to Cambodia in order to appreciate the country’s colorful culture you should become one of the millions of tourists from different countries who visit the traditional Water and Moon Festival, also termed as ‘Bun Om Tuk’. The event, held annually in Phnom Penh, is organized with respect to the Buddhist calendar in Kadeuk month, but foreign tourists intending to attend this fabulous festival should know that according to the solar calendar it is held in November.

The Water & Moon Festival is celebrated to commemorate the victory of the navy of the great Khmer ruler Jayavarman VII, and a traditional rowing boat race is held at day in the Tonle Sap River, which falls into the Mekong River at the city. The Water & Moon Festival has been celebrated for many centuries in Cambodia. Rowing boats have always been a great tradition in Cambodia, especially from the times of the Khmer Empire, during the period of which, armies used to prepare for battle by practicing rowing. Not less than 150 dragon shaped rowing boats participate in the grand race, with 40 or even more rowers on each one.

With the exciting Khmer rowing boat competition set aside, the Water and Moon festival also features an amazingly bright float parade at night time in traditional boats known as Loy Pratip. When the time for this festival arrives, the local population and foreign tourists make sure they get a good spot along the river bank or around the majestic Royal Palace so as to be in the thick of things. On top of all the events, the astounding fireworks show adds to the already festive atmosphere which is comparable to what people of New Orleans see during the renowned Mardi Gras parade.

Another aspect of the Water and Moon Festival which holds special religious significance for the natives is ‘Sampeas Preah Khe’ or the Moon Salutation. The natives consider the full moon as a great prospect for a good harvest and as this festival is held to mark the full moon, the locals pay their tribute to the moon in this festival. Moreover, because of the fact that the festival is held at the start of the fresh fishing season and close to year end, many take this opportunity to pray for the prosperity of Cambodia in the coming year.

Despite all the colors and shades of the Cambodian culture exhibited in the Water and Moon Festival, the annual event also offers a unique and delicious food called ‘Ork Ambok’ which is a unique recipe designed for this very festival. If you are a rice fan, then Ork Ambok is going to blow your mind away as this famous Cambodian food includes either banana or coconut juice, on top of other fruit and vegetable juices with traditionally cooked rice. Water and Moon Festival continues for three days without any interruption and gives a deep insight into the Cambodian culture to international tourists while it also gives the locals three days of relentless joy and entertainment.

Watch Khmer movies and Khmer dubbed at www.KhmerAccess.com

Next Post: Starting To Search For Public Divorce Records