Sep 27

camBodia PCHUM BEN FESTIVAL

In Khmer, “Pchum” means “to gather” and “Ben” means “a ball of food”. This important festival in the Khmer religious calendar is when Cambodians pay respects to their ancestors by presenting food offerings to them and partaking in grand temple processions. It is believed that spirits are released when the gates of hell open on the first day of Pchum Ben and can only receive offerings from their relatives. The last day of this important 15-day festival is called Pchum Ben and marks the end of the fasting period with a two-day public holiday.