Ash Wednesday marks the start of the Christian Lenten Period of 40 days marked with prayer and fasting. Here in Cambodia this rite is done in the First Sunday of Lent so that more people could participate and be aware of its significance.
Interestingly, this period of purification of oneself is also present in the Islam religion. They have the Ramadan in the ninth month of the Muslim year. Even here in Cambodia they have the Buddhist lent which lasts for three lunar months during the rainy season (July-September) where monks are required to remain inside their wat (convent-like abode) and when many lay persons adopt more ascetical practices like entering the monkhood.
"O wash me O Lord from my guilt. Purify me and I shall be whiter than snow." Such is our prayer to You during this period.... but our fasting and prayer would be useless without our change of heart. This is the essence of this season.