PHNOM PENH – At exactly 4:48 am on April 14, Cambodia will joyfully welcome a celestial guardian descending from the heavens—an angel on a divine mission to protect both the Kingdom and the world.

This enchanting moment is a highlight of Khmer New Year, one of Cambodia’s most beloved and eagerly awaited celebrations, and showcases the deep-rooted spiritual traditions that have defined Khmer culture for centuries.

Khmer New Year, or Maha Sangkranta, is more than just a public holiday—it’s a dazzling celebration of life, heritage, and renewal. Marking the end of the harvest season and the arrival of a new year in the traditional lunar calendar, it brings together sacred rituals, joyful reunions, and cultural pride in one vibrant, three-day festival.

This year’s festivities light up the country from April 14 to 16, blending Buddhist, Hindu, and Khmer customs into a spiritual and cultural tapestry unlike any other.

A key moment not to miss on the first day of the 2025 New Year—known as the Year of the Snake—is the ceremonial welcoming of the new guardian angel. Since this year's new year falls on a Monday, it is Goraka Devi who arrives: a powerful and graceful celestial being, the second daughter of Kabil Maha Brahma, a revered deity in Mahayana Buddhism.

Each year, the angel’s arrival time shifts, guided by ancient calculations, and every day of the week is protected by a different divine figure. This sacred moment, steeped in mysticism and reverence, is anticipated with great excitement.

Im Borin’s revered book Maha Sangkranta describes Goraka Devi’s celestial attributes in striking detail:

Clothing: Radiant yellow-orange robes

Flower: The fragrant Millingtonia blossom

Jewelry: Lustrous pearls

Food Offering: Sesame oil

Weapons: A walking stick in her left hand and a Royal Sword in her right

Vehicle: A mighty tiger

To honor her arrival, households across Cambodia prepare ritual tables, often placed at the front of the home and draped with white cloth or the angel’s symbolic color. Offerings include incense, candles, bananas, perfume, and 11 varieties of fruit—each item thoughtfully chosen to invite blessings, protection, and prosperity for the year ahead.