How Is Royal Plowing Ceremony 2025 in Cambodia Celebrated?

The Royal Plowing Ceremony in Cambodia is often referred to as the Royal Ploughing Ceremony or known as Preah Reach Pithi Bonn Chrot Preah Neangkol.

This is an ancient royal rite that marks the beginning of the rice-growing season - the start of the rainy season in Cambodia, specifically on the 4th day of the 6th lunar month.

What is the significance of the Royal Ploughing Ceremony?

The Royal Ploughing Ceremony, also known as The Ploughing Festival, is an ancient royal rite held in many Asian countries to mark the traditional beginning of the rice growing season.

The Royal Ploughing Ceremony in Cambodia heralds the start of the rice growing season throughout the country.

In Khmer, it is known as "Bon Chroat Preah Nongkoal" and is held solemnly at the start of the sowing and planting season on the 4th day of the 6th lunar month's waning moon, which is normally in May in the Western calendar.

The Royal Ploughing Ceremony in Cambodia

How to Celebrate the Royal Plowing Ceremony in Cambodia?

Other Asian nations commemorate this royal plow event, but the ceremony adheres to the same customs wherever it takes place.

This event is likely to take place in an open area near the National Museum, near the Royal Palace. If you intend to visit Cambodia during this period, be sure to look for the plowing event near the Royal Palace.

Keep an eye out for the monarch (or his designated visitor) as he makes the first plantings of the season.

Observe the farm animals as they return to feed from the lengthy selection of items designed to foretell the future.

When is the Royal Plowing Ceremony in Cambodia?

In Cambodia, the festival is based on the lunar calendar, and the actual dates of the ceremony may change significantly.

The Royal Ploughing Ceremony 2025 in Cambodia is on Thursday, the 15th of May, 2025

Key Locations for the Ceremony

Phnom Penh

Veal Preah Mein Field: The ceremony is primarily held at this location, situated next to the Royal Palace and the National Museum. This site is symbolic as it serves as the ceremonial ground where the King or high-ranking officials perform rituals to signal the start of the agricultural season.

Other Locations

The venue for the ceremony can vary each year. Historically, it has been celebrated in various provinces such as Kandal, Kampong Cham, and Siem Reap.

How do I get to Cambodia to join in the Royal Plowing Ceremony?

Flying into one of Cambodia's international airports, like Phnom Penh International Airport or Siem Reap International Airport, is the usual method of transport there. There are numerous big airlines that fly to Cambodia from different nations, as well as budget aircraft that provide more inexpensive choices.

Once in Cambodia, you can get to the site of the Royal Plowing Ceremony by domestic flight, bus, or taxi. Usually, the event takes place in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. Take a look at our extra services for Domestic flight booking and Car pick-up for the best choice of transportation.

The Royal Ploughing ceremony is one of the most important celebrations in Cambodia

Travel Tips for Travelers to Join in the Royal Plowing Ceremony in Cambodia

• The nation experiences extreme heat in May, with some tourists even claiming that it is intolerable. So, don't forget to protect your skin by wearing a sunhat and sunscreen. Make your way there early to secure a nice seat. When you want to capture images of the parade and the magnificent costumes, this is very important. When you're sweating, have the towels ready to keep you cool. Also, keep an eye out for indications of sweat. Believe it or not, a towel is required.
• Keep an eye on your camera and other valuables. To avoid pickpockets among the crowd of unknown participants, it's necessary to take careful care of your camera as well as expensive goods.
• Be respectful of those who are kneeling and praying. You probably noticed a few people knelt before the King and prayed. Respect must come first, even though not every participant is required to do so.
• If you want to watch the entire procession, plan on spending a lot of time at the location. The ceremony won't end in ten or twenty minutes. The length of time varies depending on the speed of the plowing, what the royal cows choose to eat from the seven trays, and the Brahmin priests' interpretations. So be ready to stay a while when you arrive!

Every May, the farmers in Cambodia eagerly await the decisions made by the cows because they still have a great conviction in this ritual. As a result, the majority of farming tactics used in the nation are greatly impacted by the food that the cows select to consume at the Royal Plowing Ceremony. In truth, the villagers prefer to make their planting decisions after consulting the customary ceremonies.

The Royal Plowing Ceremony is an important celebration of the start of the monsoon season and the expectation of a bountiful crop in Cambodia. When visiting Cambodia, it is advised to have travel insurance because this is a well-attended event. You can discover more about the long-standing tradition of the Royal Plowing Ceremony in Cambodia as well as its background. With Cambodia travel insurance, you can take in cultural events worry-free and be protected from unforeseen circumstances while traveling there.

Aim to attend this event if you're ever in Phnom Penh! As for the visa, don't worry about it. You can trust the Cambodia Immigration Service. If you check the visa application online procedure for the quickest e-Visa, you may enter the Kingdom of Wonder with ease and take part in the festivities of festivals. Now check it out!