Khmer festival at the temple · after the Rains Retreat
Kathina is the joyful robe-offering festival that follows the Rains Retreat. At our Khmer Buddhist temple in Ottawa (Stittsville), families and friends unite in a Kathina Samaki ceremony to offer robes and daily necessities to the Sangha.
Kathina Samaki
បុណ្យកឋិនទានKathina (កឋិនទាន) is the ceremony in which lay Buddhists offer cloth for robes, and other necessities, to the community of monks who have completed the three-month Rains Retreat (Vassa). It is held once a year, within the month after the retreat ends, and is considered an especially meritorious act of giving.
At our temple the festival is called Kathina Samaki. Samaki (សាមគ្គី) means harmony or unity: many families come together and make the offering as one community. It follows Chenh Vassa, the end of the Rains Retreat.
At Watt Ratanakpratib
Our Kathina Samaki follows Chenh Vassa (October 26, 2026). The community gathers at the temple for:
In 2026 our Kathina Samaki ceremony is on Sunday, November 8. Times are shared on our Facebook page, and you can see how the season fits the Khmer year on the events page.
When
ពេលវេលាThe 2026 date is from the temple’s official events list. The temple has not yet announced its 2027 Kathina date. It will fall within a month after the end of the 2027 Rains Retreat, and we will post it here and on Facebook once it is confirmed.
Nov 8, 2026
Kathina is the joyful robe-offering ceremony held once a year after the Rains Retreat. Families and friends come together (samaki) to offer robes and daily necessities to the Sangha.
សូមអញ្ជើញមកចូលរួមបុណ្យកឋិនទាននៅវត្តរតនប្រទីប ក្រុងអូតាវ៉ា
Before you come
Nothing more is expected of you than respect and an open heart. See our visit page for directions and parking, and visiting with respect for simple customs.
The temple is at 5883 Hazeldean Road, Stittsville, Ottawa, with a free on-site parking lot. On big festival days it fills early, so please arrive early or carpool with other families.
Through the Khmer year
បុណ្យប្រពៃណីExplore more of the Khmer calendar at our temple, or see every date on the events calendar.
Three days of blessings, merit-making, games and shared food to welcome the Khmer year.
Read the guide
One full-moon day honouring the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing away.
Read the guide
Fifteen days of remembering ancestors with food and merit offered to the monks.
Read the guideEveryone is welcome at our Khmer Buddhist temple in Ottawa, whether you are Khmer, Buddhist, a neighbour or simply curious. Festivals are made by many hands, so if you would like to help in the kitchen, with parking or with setup, we would love to hear from you.
