Cambodian Pagodas open for Pchum Ben festival nationwide

The Ministry of Cults and Religions has allowed all pagodas to hold the Pchum Ben or Ancestor’s Day festival with tightened Covid-19 preventive and control measures.

The festival is an integral part of the Cambodian calendar and is considered an important religious holiday for all Buddhist followers. The ceremony is customarily held for 15 days starting from the first until the fifteenth of Khmer month ‘Putrobot’ (between September and October in the Western calendar). The first fourteen days are called ‘Kan Ben’ or ‘Dak Ben’ while the fifteenth or last day is known as ‘Ben Thom’.

According to the Ministry’s statement signed by Minister Chhit Sokhon yesterday, the Pchum Ben festival will take place from September 22 to October 6.

The Minister in the statement said that to ensure that the Pchum Ben and Kathina festival is well organised for Buddhists to participate without fear of contracting the coronavirus, the pagodas must strictly follow the instructions of the government, the Ministry of Health, and local authorities on implementing the Covid-19 preventive measures.

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