Buddha bathing during Chol Chnam Thmay

Practicing this ritual, monks and Buddhist followers of the Khmer ethnic minority group pour scented water over Buddha statues.

The ritual is meaningful to see off hot and dry weather of the past year and to welcome rainwater in the New Year.

According to the Khmer people’s concept, dusts and bad things in the past year should be washed away, so that a New Year will come purer.

Here are some images of the “Buddha bathing” ceremony held at Pothisomrom Pagoda in Chau Van Liem ward, O Mon district, Can Tho city.

Each Khmer family brings prepared scented water along to the pagoda to bath the Buddha.

Scented water is aromatized with petals of different flowers.

Monks are the first people to perform the ritual.

Then, Buddhist followers one by one pour scented water over the Buddha and clean them.

After the ceremony, the participants often bring home part of the scented water to offer it to their grandparents and parents.

Translated by Song Anh