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Pchum Ben is an important religious festival in Cambodia. It is a time for people to honor their ancestors and pray for all beings. Traveling to Cambodia during this festival, you’ll feel the sacred atmosphere at the temples. Join Asia King Travel to learn more about this special day and discover the unique Khmer culture.
Pchum Ben festival carries the meaning of honoring parents, grandparents, and ancestors
Pchum Ben Festival is not a one-day event but a 15-day religious observance. The exact dates shift each year because it follows the Khmer lunar calendar. Usually, the festival takes place between late September and early October.
The first 14 days are called Kan Ben. Cambodian families participate in rituals known as Dak Ben. They present food to monks and symbolically share merit with wandering spirits. These days are considered a period of preparation.
The final day is known as Ben Thom. This is the most significant part of the festival. On this day, it is believed that the “gates of hell” open, allowing spirits of the dead to roam the earth. Cambodians pray in pagodas for their ancestors and wandering souls can find peace.
Pchum Ben Festival has its origins in Buddhism. That’s why you can find similar festivals in other Buddhist-majority countries, such as Zhongyuan Festival in China, Vu Lan in Vietnam, Boun Khao Salak in Laos, Sat Thai in Thailand, etc. Among Khmer communities abroad, the Sene Dolta festival also shares many similarities with Pchum Ben.
According to Buddhist teachings, there are restless spirits known as “Preta” (hungry ghosts) that live in hell. Hell is described as a place where the souls of the dead cannot see the sun, have no clothes to wear, and no food or drink to consume.
Only during the Pchum Ben Festival can these souls return home to receive blessings and offerings from their loved ones. Family members present food and perform rituals of devotion for them.
People offer essentials to the monks as a sign of respect
A well-known Buddhist legend also tells of a group of monks who, during their long meditation retreat, received food offerings from laypeople. These offerings also dedicated to the spirits of the dead. Over time, this ritual evolved into the tradition of “Bay Ben”: throwing or placing balls of rice and other offerings in the pagoda grounds to feed hungry spirits symbolically.
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The most common activity is bringing food to the temple. Families prepare food or goods as offerings to the monks. These donations are thought to give merit to departed family members in addition to being charitable gestures toward the monastic community. It is a way for the living to express gratitude and a belief in their ancestors' spiritual blessings.
Many Cambodians extend kindness to the living by donating food, money, or goods to the poor. Families share food with the less fortunate in their community. This communal sharing reinforces the festival's themes of compassion and social unity.
From dusk until dawn, the monks recite sacred texts to guide restless souls, offering them peace and release from suffering. Cambodians believe that during these 15 days, the gates of the spirit world open, allowing the dead to return. All-night chanting is therefore seen as a way to bless and lead wandering spirits toward a better rebirth.
Praying throughout the night for the souls to be liberated
The most unique ritual of the festival is Bay Ben, the act of throwing or scattering balls of sticky rice in temple grounds. These small portions of sticky rice are placed in bowls, on the ground, or even thrown into open spaces around the pagoda. According to tradition, this act symbolizes feeding the wandering and forgotten souls who have no living descendants to make offerings for them
In addition to temple rites, the festival also revolves around family get-togethers. The government has recognized Pchum Ben as a major holiday in Cambodia and people have time to reunite.
This is a holiday for everyone to reunite with their families
Family members gather to prepare meals, share them, and carry out good deeds. By providing food and assistance to the underprivileged, many Cambodians uphold the Buddhist principles of kindness, charity, and solidarity.
If you are enjoying your Cambodia tour during Pchum Ben, one of the most unforgettable experiences is the atmosphere inside the pagodas. You will see families dressed in traditional clothing, carrying baskets of food and offerings. Meanwhile. monks chant prayers in honor of the departed. The sense of devotion and community is deeply moving, even if you are not Buddhist.
People visit pagodas more often during the festival
Unlike festivals that focus on performances or parades, Pchum Ben is more intimate. For international travelers, this means experiencing a festival that has not been commercialized but remains rooted in authentic tradition.
One of the most unique and symbolic traditions you may encounter is the Bay Ben ritual. Visitors can observe families preparing sticky rice balls and scattering them around temple grounds. This act is believed to feed wandering souls who have no descendants to care for them. Watching this ritual is a powerful reminder of the Khmer value of compassion.
Of course, the signature dish of Pchum Ben festival is Bay Ben, made from sticky rice flour cooked with coconut milk. Besides, traditional dishes such as num ansom (banana or pork-filled sticky rice cakes), sweet rice treats, and fruits are prepared in abundance.
An offering tray with Bay Ben
Families bring these foods to the pagoda as offerings, but they also share them with neighbors and guests. Sampling these dishes gives travelers a literal taste of Cambodian hospitality and festive spirit.
The capital city is one of the best places to witness Pchum Ben on a large scale. Wat Phnom - the city’s iconic hilltop temple - draws thousands of locals during the festival. The pagoda fills with offerings, chanting, and candlelight ceremonies. Other important pagodas also host major rituals.
In the small villages, pagodas become the heart of authentic celebrations during Pchum Ben. Here, families come together for simple yet deeply meaningful ceremonies. Travelers who venture into these rural areas are often met with warm smiles and open arms, invited to share in delicious meals.
Perhaps the most memorable way to experience Pchum Ben is to visit a random Cambodian family. Families whip up delicious homemade treats that invite everyone to gather around the table. If you're a traveler and have the chance to join a family celebration, you’ll get a genuine glimpse into the warmth of Khmer hospitality and the true spirit of the festival, something you can’t really find in any guidebook. It’s these personal moments that make the experience unforgettable.
Feel the warmth of family on a journey away from home
By chance or by plan, if your Cambodia tour falls in September or early October, you’re lucky to experience one of the nation’s biggest festivals. Pchum Ben is a remarkable cultural tradition of the Cambodian people, showcasing the beauty of their culture and, above all, their deep filial piety. Get in touch with Asia King Travel to immerse yourself in this meaningful cultural celebration.
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