The Water Festival is the form New Year celebrations take in Southeast Asian countries. It is called the 'Water Festival' by Westerners because people throw water at one another as part of the cleansing ritual to welcome the new year.

Traditionally people gently sprinkled water on one another as a sign of respect. It is also called as Maha Thingyan.

Burmese New Year Water Festival falls around mid-April. Maha Thingyan is celebrated over a period of four to five days culminating in the new year.

The Festival in Cambodia takes place each year in October or November. It is called Bonn Om Teuk, rowing boat racing.