Cambodia Festivals in May

Kason Full moon Day (Watering of the Sacred Bo Tree) Festival (nation wide)

The Kason festival of watering the Sacred Bodhi (Bayan) Tree symbolizes the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. It is an important Buddhist event and many processions are held at temple grounds throughout the country. 

This is also the hottest month of the year. So within the framework during the Kason festival, people often put the pure water bowl on the head to the monastery watered down Sacred Bo Tree. They watered the Sacred Bo Tree to express their gratitude to the tree which protected the Buddha in the days of meditation.
 

Royal Ploughing Ceremony (Bonn Chroat Preah Nongkoal)

Cambodia has a deep connection with the Earth and farming, and there is a deep astrological belief that the Ox has an instrumental role in determining the fate of the agricultural harvest each year. So the Royal Ploughing ceremony marks the beginning of the rainy season and the planting season.

The ceremony is led by the King or other high official. Adorned sacred cows plough a sacred furrow and then are led to trays containing rice, corn, beans and other foods. Cows are given a variety of crops to eat. Based on the choices of crops eaten, predictions are made for the coming year's harvest. Ceremonies are usually held next to the Royal Palace, in front of the National Museum. For this festival both men and women can be seen wearing brightly colored traditional Khmer costume.

Birthday of the King

It is the birthday of His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromoneath NORODOM SIHAMONI's. During king's birthday, no festivities, only a giant firework display is held close to the riverbanks in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh.