Final Chanting Service for Cambodian King Sihanouk

03 FEBRUARY 2013 - PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA: Novice Buddhist monks walk down the street to the final Buddhist chanting service for former Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk in the crematorium built for the King's funeral at the National Museum in Phnom Penh. Norodom Sihanouk (31 October 1922 - 15 October 2012) was the King of Cambodia from 1941 to 1955 and again from 1993 to 2004. He was the effective ruler of Cambodia from 1953 to 1970. After his second abdication in 2004, he was given the honorific of "The King-Father of Cambodia." He served as puppet head of state for the Khmer Rouge government in 1975-1976, before going into exile. Sihanouk's actual period of effective rule over Cambodia was from 9 November 1953, when Cambodia gained its independence from France, until 18 March 1970, when General Lon Nol and the National Assembly deposed him. Upon his final abdication in 2004, the Cambodian throne council appointed Norodom Sihamoni, one of Sihanouk's sons, as the new king. Sihanouk died in Beijing, China, where he was receiving medical care, on Oct. 15, 2012. His cremation will take place on Feb. 4, 2013. Over a million people are expected to attend the service. PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ

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Filename: SihanoukFinalChantingService008.jpg
Copyright: © Jack Kurtz
Image Size: 5018x3345 / 13.1MB; 020313 Buddhism Buddhist Cambodia Cremation Culture Funeral Historic Monarchy Mourning Norodom Sihanouk Phnom Penh Religion Sihanouk Tradition
Contained in galleries: Cambodia (All)

03 FEBRUARY 2013 - PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA: Novice Buddhist monks walk down the street to the final Buddhist chanting service for former Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk in the crematorium built for the King's funeral at the National Museum in Phnom Penh. Norodom Sihanouk (31 October 1922 - 15 October 2012) was the King of Cambodia from 1941 to 1955 and again from 1993 to 2004. He was the effective ruler of Cambodia from 1953 to 1970. After his second abdication in 2004, he was given the honorific of "The King-Father of Cambodia." He served as puppet head of state for the Khmer Rouge government in 1975-1976, before going into exile. Sihanouk's actual period of effective rule over Cambodia was from 9 November 1953, when Cambodia gained its independence from France, until 18 March 1970, when General Lon Nol and the National Assembly deposed him. Upon his final abdication in 2004, the Cambodian throne council appointed Norodom Sihamoni, one of Sihanouk's sons, as the new king. Sihanouk died in Beijing, China, where he was receiving medical care, on Oct. 15, 2012. His cremation will take place on Feb. 4, 2013. Over a million people are expected to attend the service. PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ