Pchum Ben, a profound 15-day religious festival in Cambodia, commences on October 10, 2026. This sacred time is dedicated to honoring ancestors and making offerings to ensure their peaceful journey in the afterlife. Join Cambodian Buddhists in this deeply spiritual observance.
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Expected Pchum Ben Deals
Pchum Ben is a time for spiritual devotion and community support, rather than commercial deals. Donations to local Cambodian Buddhist temples and pagodas are encouraged to support the monks and the ancestral ceremonies. Many families will focus on preparing traditional foods like Bay Bens and Num Ansorm, often sourced from local markets and specialty grocers. We will update this page with information on community events and opportunities to support Cambodian cultural centers as October approaches.
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Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #PchumBen. Share photos and stories of traditional offerings and temple visits.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #PchumBen. Post visually rich content of ceremonies, traditional attire, and family gatherings.
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Pchum Ben Hero
Jayavarman VII
History of Pchum Ben
The 15-day ceremony of Pchum Ben is a time for Cambodians to honor their previous seven generations of ancestors. The first 14 days are known as “Kan Ben” and during this time families gather at nearby pagodas, offering food and prayers to their ancestors to save them from bad karma. The belief is that deceased relatives wait at the pagodas for their loved ones to return to them.
“Ben Thom” on Day 15 sees families bring baskets full of flowers and children offering sticky rice cake to the monks. This is the main festival day and everyone dresses up for the occasion. Cambodians believe their actions on earth shape their appearance as a ghost after death. By praying and offering food during Pchum Ben, the family is helping their ancestors pass on to a better life as well as ensuring their ancestors don’t get angry and curse them.
The festival dates back to the Middle Ages and is among the most important holidays in Cambodia. Nowadays students and workers will return back to their families to observe Pchum Ben with them and make their offerings.
Pchum Ben timeline
Both Pchum Ben and the Taoist Ghost Festival came about during the Mahayana period.
During the Angkorian period, people followed animism. Although people now follow Buddhism, respect for elders was a practice they continued to follow.
It is said that during the reign of King Jayavarman VII, a monk came back from hell unscathed. He brought the message from the deceased that they could be freed from suffering if their relatives offered foods and alms to monks.
How Businesses Can Celebrate Pchum Ben
Local businesses, particularly those in areas with a Cambodian diaspora, can respectfully acknowledge Pchum Ben by offering traditional ingredients or prepared foods for offerings. Restaurants might feature special Khmer dishes. Cultural centers can host educational events explaining the festival’s significance. It’s an opportunity to engage with and support the community’s cultural and spiritual needs.
Pchum Ben FAQs
When is Pchum Ben?
Pchum Ben 2026 falls on Saturday, October 10, marking the 15th day of the 10th Khmer month. This day begins a 15-day period of honoring ancestors.
What is the significance of Pchum Ben?
Pchum Ben is a time when Cambodian Buddhists believe the souls of their ancestors are released from purgatory for 15 days. Living relatives make offerings to monks to generate merit for the deceased, influencing their karmic journey.
How many people celebrate Pchum Ben?
Pchum Ben is a national holiday in Cambodia, observed by the vast majority of its population, which is predominantly Buddhist. Millions of Cambodians, both within the country and in the diaspora, participate in the traditions.
What kind of offerings are made during Pchum Ben?
Traditional offerings include Bay Bens (sticky rice balls), Num Ansorm (steamed sticky rice cakes), fruits, desserts, and other foods. These are prepared and brought to pagodas for the monks, along with candles, incense, and flowers.
How To Celebrate Pchum Ben
Visit a pagoda
Cambodians visit pagodas to offer gifts to ancestors. Appreciate this tradition first-hand by visiting a pagoda and making an offering.
Do something special for your parents/grandparents
Parents are viewed as special gods by Cambodians. Before attending the pagoda, Cambodian children prepare lunch for their parents. A common saying is “What you have at home is more powerful than the god in the pagoda. Who are the gods in your house? They are your parents.” Show your parents and grands how much they mean to you by doing something special that you don’t do often.
Make Bay Bens
Bay Bens are balls of sticky rice cooked in coconut milk that are made during the festival. Get together with some friends and celebrate the holiday by making your own bay bens.
Five Facts About Pchum Ben
It’s a popular holiday
Pchum Ben is one of the most important Buddhist festivals in Cambodia because it brings families across provinces together after a long separation.
Meaning of title
“Pchum” means “to gather together” and “Ben” means “a ball of food”.
It represents the importance of parents
The festival educates younger people on how they should give respect to their relatives.
15th day
The 15th day is the most important day of Pchum Ben and also the last day of the ceremony.
White matter
White is the funeral color in Cambodia.
Why Pchum Ben is Important
Respect for ancestors
Praying for ancestors is important for all Cambodians who follow the Buddhist faith. During Pchum Ben, the faithful pray and cook meals as offerings for seven generations of deceased relatives.
It's a show of respect to the monks
During the first 14 days of Pchum Ben, people cook food for the monks and also offer them alms. By doing so, the faithful believe they can bring good karma to their ancestors.
It's a 3-day public holiday
Pchum Ben is a time to gather with your family and close relatives. Sharing a communal meal, meditating, and helping the ancestors during their spiritual journey, brings the family together.
Pchum Ben dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | September 21 | Sunday |
| 2026 | October 10 | Saturday |
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