Third Day of the Water Festival

What Is Third Day of the Water Festival?

The Third Day of the Water Festival refers to a specific observance within significant multi-day celebrations held in certain Southeast Asian countries. Primarily, this day is recognised within Cambodia’s Bon Om Touk (Water and Moon Festival) and Myanmar’s Thingyan (Water Festival). While both involve water and are major public holidays, their origins and celebratory practices differ substantially.

In Cambodia, the Third Day marks the culmination of the Bon Om Touk, a festival of thanksgiving and renewal. In Myanmar, it represents one of the most active days of the Thingyan festivities, leading up to the Burmese New Year. Both observances underscore the cultural significance of water for cleansing, blessings, and marking transitions in the annual calendar.

History and Origins of Third Day of the Water Festival

The historical roots of these festivals are distinct and deeply embedded in their respective national narratives and belief systems. Understanding their origins provides context for the diverse traditions observed on the Third Day.

History of the Third Day of the Water Festival in Cambodia

Cambodia’s Bon Om Touk, encompassing the Third Day, traces its origins to the ancient Khmer Empire, dating back to the Angkorian era. Historical records suggest the festival was initially a naval training exercise and a celebration of the strength of the Khmer navy. Over time, it evolved to also commemorate the victory of King Jayavarman VII’s navy over the Cham invaders in the 12th century. The festival’s primary purpose today is to give thanks to the Tonlé Sap River and the Mekong River for providing fertile land and abundant fish, and to mark the rare reversal of the Tonlé Sap River’s flow, signifying the end of the rainy season and the beginning of the harvesting season. The three-day event culminates in its most significant observances on the final day.

History of the Third Day of the Water Festival in Myanmar

Myanmar’s Thingyan, which includes the Third Day of water celebrations, is deeply rooted in Buddhist and Hindu traditions, marking the Burmese New Year. Its origins are linked to the legend of Thagya Min (the equivalent of Indra), who descends to Earth during this period. The festival is believed to have been influenced by ancient Indian water festivals, adapted and integrated into Burmese culture. Water-throwing rituals are symbolic of washing away sins and bad omens from the past year, preparing for a pure and prosperous new year. The multi-day festival builds up to the official New Year’s Day, with the days preceding it typically featuring increasing levels of water activity.

How Third Day of the Water Festival Is Celebrated

Celebrations for the Third Day of the Water Festival vary significantly between Cambodia and Myanmar, reflecting their unique cultural and historical contexts.

Celebrations in Cambodia

The Third Day of the Water Festival in Cambodia, as the concluding day of Bon Om Touk, is marked by intense and elaborate activities. The day features the final and most competitive boat races on the Tonlé Sap River in Phnom Penh, drawing large crowds. Teams paddle long, traditional boats, aiming for victory after days of competition. As night falls, three primary ceremonies take place: Sampeah Preah Khae (salute to the moon), where people give thanks to the moon for the rice harvest; Auk Ambok (eating flattened rice), a traditional rice dish consumed under the moonlight; and Loy Pratip (floating illuminated lanterns), where decorative floats adorned with candles and incense are released onto the river, symbolising gratitude and making wishes. Fireworks displays often conclude the night.

Celebrations in Myanmar

In Myanmar, the Third Day of the Water Festival is typically one of the most active periods of Thingyan. It is characterised by widespread and enthusiastic water-throwing. People use buckets, water guns, hoses, and even purpose-built water-spraying structures to douse friends, family, and strangers alike. This act is not merely for fun but holds cultural significance as a purification ritual, cleansing individuals of the previous year’s misfortunes and preparing them for the New Year. Alongside the boisterous water fights, traditional dances, music performances, and parades are common. Many people also visit monasteries to offer food to monks and observe precepts, particularly towards the end of the festival.

When Is Third Day of the Water Festival?

The timing of the Third Day of the Water Festival is variable and determined by different lunar calendars in Cambodia and Myanmar.

In Cambodia, the Third Day of the Water Festival, or Bon Om Touk, usually falls during the full moon of the Khmer month of Kadeuk. This typically translates to a date in late October or early November in the Gregorian calendar. The specific dates shift annually according to the Khmer lunar calendar, making it a moveable observance. It is always the third and final day of the three-day festival.

In Myanmar, the Third Day of the Water Festival is part of the Thingyan celebrations, which occur before the start of the Burmese New Year. This festival typically takes place in mid-April each year, based on the Burmese lunar calendar. While the exact Gregorian dates vary annually, the Thingyan period consistently falls within this timeframe, with the third day often being one of the peak days for water-throwing activities.

Third Day of the Water Festival Key Facts