Royal Ash Procession and Interment Ceremony Ends Successfully

The procession and interment ceremony of the late King-Father Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk’s Royal Ashes, held from July 10 to 12, was concluded successfully this evening.

On the first day, the late King-Father’s Royal Urns were invited from the Preah Tinaing Moha Munty to rest on the Throne in front of the Royal Parasol. The ceremony was accompanied by Buddhist and religious rites, including blessings and preaching by Buddhist monks inside and in front of the Royal Palace.

On the second day, the Royal Urns were marched from Prasat Tevea Vinichay, Royal Palace, through Phnom Penh’s main boulevards and streets to the Silver Pagoda located in the compound of the Royal Palace. Over 4,000 people took part in the parade, accompanied by the firing of 101-gun salvos.

On the last day, the Royal Ashes were enshrined in Kantha Bopha Royal Stupa in the Silver Pagoda following the traditional and religious rites. The ceremony was marked by the firing of 101-gun salvos. From 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, the general public were allowed to pay their tributes to the late King-Father at the Silver Pagoda.

The Royal Ash Procession and Interment Ceremony, presided over by His Majesty the King Norodom Sihamoni and Her Majesty the Queen-Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, with National Assembly President Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei Heng Samrin, and Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, as well as many other senior officials, foreign diplomats and royal family members in attendance, finished at around 8:00 pm following the religious rituals in front of the Royal Palace and fireworks.

Phnom Penh Municipal Governor H.E. Pa Socheatevong said the three-day event was held smoothly and successfully, while the public order and security were guaranteed.

King-Father Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk passed away on Oct. 15, 2012 at 01:20 am (local time in Phnom Penh) in Beijing, China at the age of 90 from natural causes. It is now almost two years, but his sacrifice for the nation and his masterpieces are always in the Cambodian people’s memory.

Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk was born on Oct. 31, 1922. He was the only son of HRH Prince Norodom Suramarit and HRH Princess Sisowath Kossomak Nearirath Serey Vatthana.

He became the King of the Kingdom of Cambodia in April 1941 and led Cambodia for the full independence from France in 1953.

In 1955, Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk abdicated to his father and founded the Sangkum Reastr Niyum (SRN), a country development movement. It won a great victory in the legislative election. At that time, Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk became the Prime Minister of Cambodia, and head of state of Cambodia in 1960 after the death of his father.

On March 18, 1970 during the official visit to the ex-USSR, Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk was ousted from the power by a Coup d’Etat. Then he became the President of the Cambodian resistance (FUNK).

In April 1975, Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk became head of state of Democratic Kampuchea (Khmer Rouge regime), but he resigned in 1976.

From the fall of the Democratic Kampuchea in Jan. 7, 1979 to 1990, Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk stayed out of the country and returned back in 1991 and became the King of Cambodia in 1993 until he abdicated in October 2004.

After the abdication, he often stayed in China for his medical treatment until he passed away.

Late King-Father Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk was cremated on Feb. 4, 2013 at 6:30 pm with sadness and tearfulness of the whole Cambodian people after keeping for three-month mourning.

To commemorate the King-Father’s sacrifice for the country, the Royal Government of Cambodia decided to take Oct. 15 as a public holiday and erected a Memorial Statue of the late King-Father in a public park, east of the Independence Monument. The Memorial Statue is made of copper with 4.5 meters high and its support of 2.7 meters high.

Sourced: AKP