AKP Phnom Penh, April 24, 2025 -- 

The villagers of Sre Changhot have recently held a vibrant rain-praying ceremony at Leak Neang Temple, coinciding with the Chlong Chet festival on April 22-23, 2025.

According to the APSARA National Authority’s news release this morning, this annual event is deeply rooted in the community's agricultural lifestyle, as the residents of Angkor heavily depend on rain for their crops.

During the rainy season, the villagers face challenges due to unpredictable rainfall, which can lead to either drought or flooding—issues that significantly impact their livelihoods. The rain-praying ceremony, which varies from one village to another, combines elements of local beliefs and Buddhist practices.

At the ceremony, the community came together to create a square sand formation shaped like a Naga, symbolising a pond filled with various animals such as crabs, fish, frogs, turtles, crocodiles, snails, and eels. Monks surrounded this symbolic pond and chanted the Dhamma of the heavens in hopes of invoking rain.

Following the chanting, a joyful water-sprinkling ceremony took place where villagers poured water over the monks and elders. This act was a gesture of gratitude and a prayer for sufficient rain and bountiful rice crops. The festivities culminated in dancing and celebration, reflecting the villagers' hopes for a prosperous agricultural season ahead.

By Phal Sophanith