The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is observed in Cambodia on May 5 every year, marking the beginning of the rice growing season. This ancient rite has its origins in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions, having merged over time into a single ceremony. It takes place in a large park next to the Royal Palace and in front of the National Museum, typically overseen by the monarch and the Prime Minister, with the King sometimes participating in guiding the plough. During the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a plough to create a furrow in a ceremonial rice field, while priests sow rice. Following this, the oxen are offered various foods, including rice, sesame seeds, and water, and their choices are believed to predict weather and farming conditions for the upcoming season. The event is attended by citizens in traditional Khmer attire, and agricultural exhibitions are also held to celebrate this significant occasion.