The two-day eventcommemorates Goddess Ponagar or Thien Y A Na – Holy Mother of the Chamcommunity in the central region, who is believed to teach the locals togrow rice, raise silkworms and weave fabric.
Folkrituals such as a requiem and the release of flower floating candleswill be accompanied by a ceremony to pray for peace, happiness andprosperity of the nation, and cultural activities honouring thespiritual life of the ethnic people in the central southern region.
The 1,200-year-old Ponagar-dedicated tower, built using a unique Chamtechnique, was recognised as a national historical relic site in 1979.
In 2012, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recognised the Ponargar festival as a national intangible heritage.-VNA