AKP Phnom Penh, September 08, 2025 --

Cambodians from all walks of life began the annual two-week Kan Ben Festival, a deeply rooted Buddhist observance dedicated to honouring ancestors. 

The festival, which started today and runs through Sept. 21, is a time of spiritual reflection and community gathering across the country.

During this period, devotees visit pagodas to offer food and other provisions to monks. According to tradition, these offerings are believed to be a way of sending sustenance to the spirits of the deceased. 

The festival's 14-day observance leads up to Pchum Ben, or the "Festival for the Dead," which is one of the most significant Buddhist holidays in Cambodia, set for Sept. 22 this year.

The Kan Ben Festival reinforces Cambodia's profound spiritual heritage, uniting families and communities in a collective act of reverence and remembrance.

By Phal Sophanith