The word “Sangkranti” means New Year’s Day, and this word was also used in the Angkor period, according to the Ka17 inscription

 The word “Sangkranti” means New Year’s Day, and this word was also used in the Angkor period, according to the Ka17 inscription.

According to the Khmer dictionary of Samdech Sangharach Chuon Nath, “Sangkranti” originates from the Sanskrit word “Sangkranti” meaning “the journey of leaving, entering, the journey of the sun reaching the first circle of the zodiac, referring to the journey where the beginning and end of the zodiac meet, completing the year (the journey of ending the old year and starting the new year) of the New Year’s Day ceremony.” 

The word “Sangkranti” was widely used during the 8th century throughout countries influenced by the Sanskrit language, including Cambodia, where ancestors of the Khmer Empire used it for various purposes to indicate the celebration of the New Year, to make offerings to the Purohits in the year, which is revealed in the inscriptions of many temples, and to mark the time when they had to join in the celebration of the New Year’s Day. 

 To this day, the Khmer people celebrate the New Year every year, which is deeply rooted in culture, tradition and history. It is not only an opportunity to celebrate the arrival of the New Year’s deity, but also a time for Cambodians to break free from the old year’s troubles and reunite with their families for the new year. The main activities include cleaning their homes, hanging lanterns, dancing, playing Khmer folk games and religious ceremonies, and gathering relatives and friends in villages and temples throughout the kingdom.