Cambodia Water Festival (Bon Om Touk), History, Facts, 2021 Photos, images Gallery.

Cambodia has a plethora of attractions and activities available throughout all year, but in November each year, the Bon Om Touk or Water Festival, which shuts down the town and opens the rivers to a spectacular spectacle, is the absolute peak of festivals.

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The Water Festival is the most festive festival in Cambodia, people from all over the country gather in Phnom Penh to see the boat race, the illuminated boats and the fireworks. The city is filled with people, food stands and live concerts.

The Water Festival is a 3-day long festival that occurs in November. All three days there will be boat races on the Tonle Sap River in Phnom Penh with colorfully decorated boats that hold 40 rowers.The final of the boat race will be held in the afternoon of the last day.

History of Cambodia Water Festival (Bon Om Touk).

Cambodia’s Water Festival takes place around October — November every year and officially marks the end of the rainy season.

According to historians, the Cambodian Water Festival began during the reign of King Jayavarman VII in the 12th century. At this time many battles were fought and won on the Mekong and Tonle Sap lakes. The Angkorian Empire was renowned for its might on the water facing off against rivals like the Chams and Siams.

The festival was a way to please and entertain the water gods helping to secure bountiful rice harvests in the coming season.

Ancient Angkorian Kings also used the water festival to show off military might and prepare powerful navies for battle. It was the perfect time to check the training and fighting skills of their naval warriors.

During our temple tours, you’ll see ancient carvings depicting boat races and naval battles. The boats we currently use during the festival still match the ones used hundreds of years ago.