11/10/2026
Pchum Ben (often translated as "Ancestors' Day" or the "Festival of the Dead") is one of Cambodia's most important and sacred religious holidays. It is a 15-day Buddhist festival dedicated to honoring deceased family members spanning up to seven generations.
The festival culminates on the 15th day of the 10th month in the Khmer lunar calendar (usually falling in September or October), marking the end of the Buddhist Lent. During this time, Cambodians believe that the gates of the spirit world open, allowing the spirits of ancestors—particularly those with heavy karma, known as "hungry ghosts"—to return to the earthly realm seeking food and offerings.
The Two Phases of the Festival
The festival is divided into two distinct parts:
Kan Ben (Days 1 to 14):
During the first 14 days, families take turns visiting local pagodas. People wake up early to prepare food and bring it to the monks. By offering food to the living monks, Cambodians believe they generate "merit" (good karma) that is then transferred to their deceased relatives, easing their suffering in the afterlife.
Pchum Ben Day (Day 15):
The word "Pchum" means "to gather together," and this final day represents the climax of the festival. It is a major three-day public holiday in Cambodia, where people return to their home provinces for large family reunions. Almost everyone visits a pagoda on this day to make final offerings, pray, and listen to the monks chant.
Key Rituals and Traditions
Offering Bay Ben: One of the most distinctive rituals is the tossing of bay ben—balls of sticky rice mixed with sesame seeds (and sometimes coconut). At dawn (around 4:00 AM), people gather at pagodas to throw these rice balls into empty fields or onto the temple grounds. This is done specifically to feed the "hungry ghosts" who have committed too many sins to receive food directly from the monks during daylight hours.
Providing for Monks: Because the festival occurs at the end of the rainy season (Buddhist Lent), monks are largely restricted to their pagodas and cannot easily go out to collect alms. Pchum Ben ensures the monks are well-fed by the community during this period.
Merit and Karma: The festival is deeply tied to the Buddhist concept of karma. Families believe that if their ancestors' spirits visit seven different pagodas and do not find an offering from their living relatives, the spirits will become angry and curse the family. Conversely, honoring them brings blessings, prosperity, and good luck to the living.
Respect for the Living: While it is a festival for the dead, Pchum Ben heavily emphasizes respect for living elders. It is customary for younger family members to prepare special meals for their parents and grandparents before heading to the pagoda.
