Pchum Ben (Ancestors’ Day)បុណ្យភ្ជុំបិណ្ឌ
Oct 10 – 11, 2026
Khmer families remember their ancestors by offering food and merit to the monks on their behalf, in the fifteen days that lead to the main Pchum Ben days.
បុណ្យភ្ជុំបិណ្ឌនៅអូតាវ៉ា
Khmer festival at the temple · September–October
Pchum Ben in Ottawa
Pchum Ben is the Khmer festival of remembering ancestors. For fifteen days families bring food to the monks and dedicate the merit to those who have passed away. Our Khmer Buddhist temple in Ottawa (Stittsville) welcomes everyone who wishes to honour their family's memory.
Ancestors' Day
បុណ្យភ្ជុំបិណ្ឌWhat is Pchum Ben?
Pchum Ben (ភ្ជុំបិណ្ឌ) is one of the most important observances of the Khmer year. Pchum means to gather, and ben refers to the balls of rice (bay ben) that are offered. It lasts fifteen days in the Khmer lunar calendar, usually in September or October, and ends on the main Pchum Ben day. The days before it are known as Kan Ben.
Traditional belief holds that during this time the spirits of departed relatives may visit the temples hoping to receive merit from their families. Families therefore offer food to the monks, who chant blessings, and dedicate the merit to their ancestors. It is also a time when relatives travel to be together, honouring parents and grandparents and the generations before them.
At Watt Ratanakpratib
How we observe Pchum Ben at the temple
In the fifteen days that lead to the main Pchum Ben days, Khmer families remember their ancestors at the temple. Our community marks the festival with:
- Food offerings to the monks on behalf of ancestors, including rice balls (bay ben)
- Chanting and blessings with the Sangha
- A shared meal after the monks have eaten
- The whole family together, from grandparents to children
The temple’s own ceremony in 2026 was held on October 10–11. Exact times and any programme for each year are shared on our events page and on Facebook.
When
ពេលវេលាPchum Ben dates at our temple
The 2026 date is from the temple’s official events list. The temple has not yet announced its 2027 Pchum Ben dates. Because the festival follows the lunar calendar, the date changes every year. We will post it here, on the events page and on Facebook once it is confirmed.
សូមអញ្ជើញមកចូលរួមបុណ្យភ្ជុំបិណ្ឌនៅវត្តរតនប្រទីប ក្រុងអូតាវ៉ា
Before you come
What to wear and what to bring
Nothing more is expected of you than respect and an open heart. See our visit page for directions and parking, and visiting with respect for simple customs.
What to wear
- Modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees
- Some families choose white or traditional Khmer dress. This is a personal choice, not a requirement
- Clean socks, since shoes come off before the hall
What to bring
- Cooked food, rice, fruit or sweets to offer to the monks, in time for the lunch offering because the monks eat before noon
- Flowers, candles or incense for the shrine
- Relatives of every age: Pchum Ben is a family festival
Getting here
The temple is at 5883 Hazeldean Road, Stittsville, Ottawa, with a free on-site parking lot. On big festival days it fills early, so please arrive early or carpool with other families.
Through the Khmer year
បុណ្យប្រពៃណីOther Khmer festivals in Ottawa
Explore more of the Khmer calendar at our temple, or see every date on the events calendar.
Khmer New Year in Ottawaបុណ្យចូលឆ្នាំខ្មែរ
Three days of blessings, merit-making, games and shared food to welcome the Khmer year.
Read the guide
Visak Bochea in Ottawaបុណ្យវិសាខបូជា
One full-moon day honouring the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing away.
Read the guide
Kathina in Ottawaបុណ្យកឋិនទាន
The yearly robe-offering ceremony after the Rains Retreat, held in harmony by the community.
Read the guide
ស្វាគមន៍
Join us for Pchum Ben
Everyone is welcome at our Khmer Buddhist temple in Ottawa, whether you are Khmer, Buddhist, a neighbour or simply curious. Festivals are made by many hands, so if you would like to help in the kitchen, with parking or with setup, we would love to hear from you.