Phnom Penh Post - In pictures: Thousands mark Buddhist holy day of Meak Bochea at Oudong Mountain

Young and old came together today to pray, present offerings to monks and take part in rituals such as the freeing of birds at Oudong Mountain to mark Meak Bochea, a public holiday and one of Buddhism’s holiest days. Meak, which refers to the third full moon in the lunar calendar, is by some accounts when the Buddha announced to his followers that he would shortly reach enlightenment. At 8pm tonight the crowd at Oudong Mountain – a holy site believed to house remains of the Buddha – will reunite to release lanterns. Pictures by Pha Lina