
The second day, people perform acts of charity to the less fortunate by helping and giving to the poor, servants, homeless and low income families. Families attend a dedication ceremony to their ancestors at the monastery.
The third day, Buddhists cleanse the Buddha statues and their elders with perfumed water. Bathing the Buddha image is the symbol that water will be needed for all kind of plants and lives. It is also thought to be a kind deed that will bring longevity, good luck, happiness and prosperity in life. By bathing their grandparents and parents, children can obtain from them best wishes and good advice for the future.
Khmers living abroad may choose to celebrate Khmer New Year during a weekend rather than just specifically April 13th through 15th. Cambodian Christians and people from other faiths beside Buddhists may choose not to participate in some activities, e.g. burning incense sticks at shrines, bowing before and bathing the Buddha statue because those activities came from Buddhism and they affect their own beliefs.
Conclusion, Khmer New Year celebration is a sense of families gathering, being with friends, relatives and loved ones. People from all around the country travel back to where they were from. They eat, drink, play games, sing and dance together, and make noise for fun.
(These pictures were taken in the US while Sophat presented Khmer New Year celebration among American kids and community people.)
Edited by: Margaret Garthwaite