Monks celebrate Sen Dolta festival at pagoda (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – The Mekong Deltaprovince of An Giang is observing Khmer people’s traditional Sen Dolta festivalfrom September 19-21.
Various activities, including cow racing, willbe held during the event, according to head of the provincial department of ethnicaffairs Tran Quoc Thanh.
Earlier on September 12-18, leaders of theprovincial Party Committee, People’s Council and People’s Committee visitedKhmer people to congratulate them on the occasion of Sen Dolta festival.
While visiting monks at Pray Veng, Soai So TumNop, and Phnom Ta Pa pagodas in Tri Ton district, Vice Secretary of theprovincial Party Committee Vo Anh Kiet wished them good health to better doBuddhist affairs.
Vice Chairman of the provincial People’sCommittee Nguyen Thanh Binh visited monks at Tho Mit, Cha Rat, and My A pagodasin Tinh Bien district. He recognised the efforts of Khmer people to develop thehouse-based economy and join the new-style rural development movement.
He affirmed that local authorities will continuesupporting Khmer people to improve their living standards and enable theirchildren to pursue education and training.
Sen Dolta is one of the largest annual festivalsof ethnic Khmers in the southern region, along with Chol Chnam Thmay (New Year)and Ok Oom Bok Festival (long boat race), which give thanks to the moon forgood harvests.
It is also called Phchum Banh, meaning familygathering and virtue. The festival is held from the last day of the eighthlunar month to the second day of the ninth lunar month each year.
The Khmer express their gratitude to ancestors,parents and relatives, and pray for good luck.
During the three-day festival, many religiousrituals and several cultural activities take place at Khmer pagodas.-VNA
VNA
