On the morning of May 5th (ie March 19th of the lunar calendar), at Ponagar Tower, the water procession ritual - one of the most important activities of the Ponagar Tower Festival - took place solemnly, attracting a large number of Cham dignitaries and local people to participate.
The procession consists of more than 100 people, with the presence of the ritual committee, Cham dignitaries, the Relic Management Board, the Provincial Association for Conservation of Cultural Heritage and Spiritual Tourism, and Mother Goddess A Na worshiping belief clubs.
In traditional costumes, the delegation brought offerings, incense and flowers, moving by flower cars and palanquins from Ponagar Tower to Hai An Pagoda (also known as Hang Pagoda, Bac Nha Trang ward).
At Hai An Pagoda, the delegation performed the ritual of fetching sacred water.
This pure water source will be brought to the Mandapa area of Ponagar Tower to offer to the Mother Goddess and used in the bathing ritual of the Po Nagar Goddess statue in the Mother Goddess changing ritual held on May 6th (ie March 20th of the lunar calendar).
According to recorded documents, the water procession has the meaning of purification, blessing, and at the same time expressing sincerity and honoring the merits of Lady Thien Y Ana (Goddess Yang Po Inu Nagar) - the Mother of the Land in the South Central region.
Mr. Dang Tan Nien, representative of the Balamon Cham Council of Ninh Thuan province, shared: for the Cham people, the water procession ritual at the beginning of the year is to bathe the divine statue, pray for favorable weather, prosperous business, and abundant health.
Not only praying for their community, the ritual also sends wishes for prosperity and wealth for all ethnic groups in the country.
This year, the Ponagar Tower Festival takes place from May 5 to May 11 (ie, March 19–25 of the lunar calendar), open for free for people and tourists.
The festival includes 12 main groups of activities such as: water procession, changing Mother Goddess's robes, palanquin procession, requiem, releasing lanterns, praying for national peace and prosperity, and offering incense. The official opening ceremony will take place on the evening of May 6.
The Ponagar Tower Festival is held annually to honor Mother Goddess Y A Na.
The rituals at the festival are imbued with national cultural identity, showing the intersection of beliefs between the two Vietnamese - Cham communities.
The Ponagar Tower complex dates from the 8th to 13th centuries, currently preserving 14 royal decrees, including 6 royal decrees of the Nguyen Dynasty for Thien Y A Na, along with an ancient stele system in Sanskrit and Champa scripts.
The relic is not only valuable in history and architecture but also a typical symbol of the strong cultural connection between the two peoples.
