Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa residents together with pilgrims from all corners of the country are flocking to Nha Trang to take part in Ponagar Festival 2012...
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| Pilgrims flocked to Ponagar Festival 2011. |
Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa residents together with pilgrims from all corners of the country are flocking to Nha Trang to take part in Ponagar Festival 2012 to be held on April 10-13 (20th -23rd day of the 3rd lunar month).
The event this year is expected attract a large number of visitors, therefore, thorough preparation is required to ensure a successful traditional event.
Ponagar Festival is the biggest national level religious festival ever held in Khanh Hoa Province from the 21st to 25th day of the third lunar month every year to commemorate the Goddess Thien Y A Na – Holy Mother of the Cham community in the central region.
It includes many cultural, art and religious activities such as traditional dances of Cham people, release of flower garlands and colored lanterns along Cai River, worshipping rituals for national peace, etc.
The annual event has contributed significantly the preservation and promotion of local heritages, thus adding to the local tourism attraction.
In early March, 2012, the Khanh Hoa Department of Culture, Sport & Tourism established an organization board with 7 teams responsible for the management of the festival.
Detailed plans have been made and carried out to assure the festival will go smoothly. Ponagar Festival 2012 is expected to draw around 50,000 arrivals, including local residents, tourists and pilgrims.
Ngo My Chau, Director of the Khanh Hoa Vestige & Beauty Spot Management Center says it is the biggest traditional festival ever held in Khanh Hoa Province and the preparation work is in progress to make sure that the festival will be a great success.
Everything is ready for the festival to open in a couple of days.
Nhu Thao
