Happy Mahar Sankranti Khmer

The Traditional Khmer New Year Festival will take place over three days, from April 14 to 16, 2024:

1. Day 1: Maha Sangkran (April 14)
   This marks the first day of the Khmer New Year. Cambodians prepare their homes and set up offerings of fruits to welcome the new year's angel (devata). People also offer food and drinks to monks, build sand stupas in the temple courtyard in the evening, and invite monks to chant blessings and give Dhamma talks.

2. Day 2: Veareak Vanabat (April 15)
   On this day, children and younger generations show gratitude by offering clothes, food, and money to parents, grandparents, and elders. In the afternoon, people build more sand stupas, recite prayers, and invite monks to perform the "Bang Sokul" ritual (a ceremony to dedicate merit to ancestors).

3. Day 3: Veareak Laeung Sak (April 16)
   On the third day, monks are invited to "cross over the sand stupas" symbolically, and people perform bathing rituals by pouring water over monks and Buddha statues. This is followed by traditional games and joyful celebrations such as Bos Angkunh (seed throwing game), Chol Chhoung (scarf throwing game), Tug of war, hide-and-seek, Troddi dance, and more.