Happy Khmer New Year 2015!

Khmer New Year Card 2015

Another year has come and gone, the time cannot wait for us and we also cannot call it back. The Angel of year of the Horse 2014 will transfer her duties to the Angel of the Goat 2015 celebrating on April 14, 2015. To take this opportunity, I would like to say Happy Khmer New Year 2015!! I wish all the best for the upcoming new year 2015 to all my friends, colleague, families, and my beloved readers! Please the Year of the Goat's Angel wishes all Cambodian and the world people be blessed with a peaceful and prosperous living for the whole year through.

A short description about Cambodian New Year (Khmer: បុណ្យចូលឆ្នាំថ្មី):
Cambodian or Khmer New Year aka Chaul Chnam Thmey in the Khmer language, literally "Enter New Year", is the name of the Cambodian holiday that celebrates the New Year. The holiday lasts for three days beginning on New Year's Day, which usually falls on April 13 or 14th, which is the end of the harvesting season, when farmers enjoy the fruits of their labor before the rainy season begins. Khmers living abroad may choose to celebrate during a weekend rather than just specifically April 13 through 15th.

What are these three days called?
Maha Songkran (មហាសង្រ្កាន្ត):
Maha Songkran, derived from Sanskrit Maha Sankranti, is the name of the first day of the new year celebration. It is the end of the year and the beginning of a new one. People dress up and light candles and burn incense sticks at shrines, where the members of each family pay homage to offer thanks for the Buddha's teachings by bowing, kneeling and prostrating themselves three times before his image. For good luck people wash their face with holy water in the morning, their chests at noon, and their feet in the evening before they go to bed

Virak Wanabat (វិរ:វ័នបត):
Virak Wanabat is the name of the second day of the new year celebration. People contribute charity to the less fortunate by helping the poor, servants, homeless, and low-income families. Families attend a dedication ceremony to their ancestors at the monastery.

Virak loeurng Sak (ថ្ងៃឡើងស័ក):
T'ngai Leang Saka is the name of the third day of the new year celebration. Buddhists cleanse the Buddha statues and their elders with perfumed water. Bathing the Buddha images is the symbol that water will be needed for all kinds 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.

[Related: Happy Khmer New Year 2014!]

What is my this year message?
Last of the happy-Khmer-new-year article, I always keep a message for myself as well as for my beloved readers. So, what is it?

គិតល្អ និយាយល្អ ធ្វើល្អ និងចែករំលែកល្អ - Think Good, Say Good, Do Good, and Share Good.

Doing Good is a state of mind that can accompany every action and shine through every thought. Doing Good starts from within, so even the littlest smile can change something in your life and make a difference in the reality of the people around you. So, Let’s Start Doing Good Deeds for Our Society Together!

Please have a watch about this greeting card on Google Earth Pro (you wanna get KML file?)!

Let's Say Happy Khmer New Year 2015, and Please Enjoy the Holidays Together!