On the first day of Chol Chnam Thmay at Khedol Pagoda, Thanh Dong Hamlet, Thanh Tan Commune, on the evening of April 14, many Khmer people and local people came to offer incense and pray for good things in the new year.

Mr. Si Na, residing in Tan Hung commune, Tan Chau district said: “Chol Chnam Thmay is an occasion for relatives and neighbors to meet, exchange best wishes and participate in traditional rituals such as building sand mountains, bathing Buddha and other fun activities.”

On the first night of Tet, the Khmer Khedol Pagoda was lit up with lights and colorful flags. The elaborately decorated grounds and miniature landscapes, combined with the music and cheerful laughter of the Khmer people and local people, created a sparkling and cozy space. In the bustling atmosphere of the first day of the new year, everyone offered incense, chanted sutras and asked the monks for blessings, wishing for a peaceful new year with many good things.

Ms. Thi Sem, residing in Thanh Dong hamlet, Thanh Tan commune, Tay Ninh city shared: “In the New Year, I just hope for a smooth job, a happy and healthy life; I hope all illnesses and worries will soon pass so I can work with peace of mind.”

According to the Khmer people's belief, the first day of Chol Chnam Thmay is called Chol Sangkran Thmay, which means entering the new year. On the first day of the festival, Khmer families will clean their houses, prepare offerings, and perform the Dai Lich procession (also known as Maha Sangkran). The Dai Lich procession has a similar meaning to the Vietnamese New Year's Eve celebration, to say goodbye to the old year and welcome a new year with more convenience and luck.

In addition to rituals at home and at the temple, an indispensable activity on the first day of the year is that children and grandchildren in Khmer families go together to the community cemetery to clean, pray for peace, and remember their ancestors. This is not only a beautiful traditional cultural feature but also shows the filial piety and deep gratitude of children and grandchildren to their grandparents and ancestors, which has been preserved by the Khmer community for many generations.

Mr. Cao Quang Xay, residing in Thanh Dong Hamlet, Thanh Tan Commune, Tay Ninh City, said: “Today I went to the cemetery to pray for peace for my ancestors’ graves and celebrate the New Year. I invited a monk from the temple to chant sutras, which was both convenient and cozy.”

On April 15 and 16 of Chol Chnam Thmay, Khedol Pagoda will continue to hold traditional rituals such as sand mountain building, Buddha bathing, along with cultural activities, arts, and unique folk games, promising to create a vibrant and meaningful community connection space.

Chol Chnam Thmay is not only an occasion for Khmer people to celebrate spring and welcome the new year, but also an occasion to express the morality of drinking water and remembering its source, the filial piety of children and grandchildren towards their grandparents and ancestors; contributing to spreading goodness and preserving the precious traditional cultural values ​​of the nation.

Ha Nam

Source: https://baotayninh.vn/ron-rang-ngay-dau-nam-tet-chol-chnam-thmay-cua-dong-bao-dan-toc-khmer-a188865.html