What is the grandest festival in Cambodia

Every year when the moon is full on the 15th day of the 12th month of the Buddhist calendar (November in the Gregorian calendar), the Cambodian people celebrate their traditional festival, the Water Delivery Festival, in a grand manner. Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia, is located at the junction of the Mekong, Tonle Sap and Bassa Rivers. Every year in May of the Gregorian calendar, Cambodia enters into the rainy season, the Mekong River water along the Tonle Sap River pours into the Tonle Sap Lake, making the lake expand 10 times rapidly, a large number of fishes and shrimps multiply up inside the lake, making the Tonle Sap Lake become a natural fish warehouse; at the same time, the rain creates the necessary conditions for the farmers to sow their seeds and rice seedlings, and the farmers start the intense farmland labor. By November of the Gregorian calendar, Cambodia enters the dry season, and the water of Tonle Sap Lake begins to flow back into the Mekong River and finally into the sea. At this time, the fish in the Tonle Sap Lake have grown up and Cambodia enters the fishing season; at the same time, the rice is ripe and farmers are ready to start harvesting. In order to thank the river for the great benefits it brings to the people, the Cambodian people have had the traditional custom of organizing the Water Sending Festival since ancient times, respectfully sending the river water that brings them a good harvest back to the sea to welcome the coming of the harvest season.

There is another story about the origin of the festival: the Angkor era in the 12th century AD was the most prosperous period in Cambodia. From 1177-1181 A.D., Cambodian King ? ^ Yayavarman VII personally led the navy to battle, defeated the Champa army, won a great victory, and returned to China in triumph. In the bas-reliefs of the Angkor monuments, there is a picture of King Yayavarman VII. ^ King Yayavarman VII stood on the bow of the ship, holding up the king's sword, valiantly commanding the warships to charge at the enemy. Since then, the people have commemorated the great naval victory by holding annual dragon boat races on the day of the defeat of the enemy. Today's dragon boat races, each bow has an elder, waving a wooden stick, directing the rowers, working together, courageous, is to imitate the ancient warships in the water battle posture.

The Water Festival is one of the most important festivals in Cambodia and is celebrated for three days in Phnom Penh. On the first day, the opening ceremony of the Dragon Boat Race and the preliminary race are held; on the second day, the race continues during the day, and in the evening, the moon is worshipped and flat rice is eaten (a kind of food made by pounding and flattening the glutinous rice after frying); on the third day, it is the most bustling day, and in the daytime, the final of the Dragon Boat Race and the prize-giving ceremony are held, and in the evening, the lanterns are put on the water. Fireworks are set off on all three days, three times a day for 15-20 minutes each time. During the Water Festival, the whole country is on vacation and Cambodians are entertained with rich and colorful programs. People from all over the country who like to have fun come to Phnom Penh with their children the day before the festival. They spread the mats they brought on the grass and it becomes a temporary home. Families have fun in the capital. They visit parks, go shopping in malls, and of course the main activity is to watch dragon boat races. They are hungry, they can always taste a variety of snacks, selling food abound, there are Cambodian national flavor, but also from neighboring countries such as Vietnam, Thailand and China, food, but also let the Cambodian people have a great taste.