Month : October/November
Place : Cambodia
Famous For : Traditional Water Festival
Attractions : Boat races, Elaborately designed boat parades, Fireworks
Bonn Om Tuk is a three day festival celebrated in Cambodia during the Buddhist month of Kadeuk (November) on a full moon. Recognized as Cambodia's biggest festival, Bonn Om Tuk is celebrated at the end of the wet season to mark the reversing of rivers Tonle Sap and Mekong. The main highlight of this festival are the boat races, elaborately designed boat parades, fireworks.
During the Bonn Om Tuk festival, the boat races are the most interesting event. The course is constructed so the water is held in that section of river by a gate dam across the finish line and when the race is won the gate is pushed open and water gushes out. Other attractions include the special rice dishes, served late at night in the light of the full moon and there are fireworks and a lantern lit flotilla contributing to the spectacle and celebratory atmosphere. Other events are a parade of spectacularly lit boats down the stream, carnivals, musical extravaganza, folk dances and lots and lots of food stalls. Bonn Om Tuk is held annually on the full moon at the end of October, beginning of November. Tonle Sap is the lifeline of Cambodia and the festival is a way to thank the river for its generosity. Salutations are made to the full moon to ensure a good harvest next year and finally the midnight celebrations kick off at the temples. People gather at the temples to eat a meal of fried rice mixed with banana and coconut. Millions of Cambodians from all over the country gather at the river banks to participate in this colorful festival.
