Cambodia on Wednesday commemorated the second anniversary of the death of the country's most revered King Father Norodom Sihanouk by offering alms to Buddhists monks and paying tribute to his statue.

Sihanouk's widow Queen Mother Norodom Monineath and his son, current King Norodom Sihamoni, as well as Prime Minister Hun Sen gave alms to months in an elaborate ceremony inside the Royal Palace, while a few thousands of people marked the occasion in front of the Royal Palace by offering food to about 500 monks.

Besides, leaders and representatives of the government's ministries and institutions, the National Assembly, and the Senate laid wreaths and paid homage to the late king at his statue near the Independence Monument.

"Giving alms to about 500 monks is to dedicate to the soul of the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk on the 2nd anniversary of his death," Minister of Cults and Religion Min Khin said.

Kim Van, 78, along with other 20 villagers from southern Kandal province, said his group unanimously rented a truck to travel to Phnom Penh City to attend the ceremony.

"I provide offerings of food to the monks in order to dedicate to late King Father Sihanouk," he said." Despite his death, King Father was still the best leader in my mind."

Another mourner Nov Sopha, 53, said she would remember and pray for the late king forever since he had left numerous great achievements for the nation during his life time.

"He was the king who led Cambodia to gain independence from France (in 1953)," she said. "The King Father was the hero of all Cambodian people."

Sihanouk died of illness at the age of 90 in Beijing on Oct. 15, 2012. He suffered from various forms of cancer, diabetes and hypertension and had been treated by Chinese doctors in Beijing, China, for years before his death.

He reigned the country from 1941 to 1955 and again from 1993 until his voluntary abdication in 2004 in favor of his son, the current King Norodom Sihamoni.