Khmer New Year 2006 - Photos of activities

During the KNY 2006, the year of dog, Cambodian-Australians from different locations in Victoria came together to celebrate our Khmer new year in a traditional way just like the Khmer in Cambodia would. Exept that in Australia, the weather is a bit colder compared to the hot summer season in Cambodia this time round. During the weekend of celebration which coincided with the Easter break, Cambodian-Australian had public holidays, so they had more chance of going to the temple to celebrate their New Year or organise their own gatherings amongs friends and families.

When going to the temple, they participated in a number of activities such as offering food to the venerable monks, participated in the sand mount activities and washing of Buddha rupa, monks' and elders' feet as symbols of their respect and ask for forgiveness for their bad deeds in the past towards the Buddha, monks and their elders by ways of bodily actions, speech or mental actions. This way, they would start their new year fresh and hope to enjoy life in a more happier, prosperous and harmonious ways with themselves and other people. The following are some snap shots of activities during the three days new year.

People queued up and take joy in offering rice (Dana) to buddhist monks

People gathered inside the hall to listen to buddhist monks and received blessings

Play Chhay Yam (a type of khmer traditional music play during New Year)

Children and adults enjoyed playing tug war

Play Ang Kougn (Khmer Traditional grouped game)

Sand mount activities

Washing Buddha rupa and monks feet as symbol of respect and ask for forgiveness for bad deeds in the past and receive blessings from buddhist monks.