Binh Thuan (VNA) – A ceremony was held at Po Sah Inu tower relic site in Phan Thiet city of Binh Thuan to announce the Prime Minister’s decision to add the golden linga of Binh Thuan into the list of national treasures, and kick off the Kate Festival, a traditional festival of Cham followers of Brahmanism in the south-central province.

Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Vo Thanh Huy said that the object was found in an archaeological excavation at the Po Dam Tower Relic Site in Lac Tri village, Phu Lac commune, Tuy Phong district. It was recognised as a national architectural and artistic relic in 1996.

The Golden Linga of Binh Thuan dates back to around the 8th-9th century. It is a unique, rare original artifact with a unique form, which has high historical, cultural, and aesthetic value. The newly-recognised national treasure weighs 78.36 grammes, with gold making up 90.4%, while the remaining 9.6% is silver and copper.

Director of the department Bui The Nhan said it is of great value to the research and understanding of cultural and historical issues related to the Po Dam relic in particular and the Cham culture in general. This is an important scientific document not only for archaeology, but also for the study of history, culture, fine arts, religion, metallurgy, and goldsmithing craft of the Cham community in the past.

Following the announcement, Kate Festival 2024 was opened with the Po Sah Inu Goddess costume procession ceremony, the most important ritual of the festival.

Kate Festival begins with rituals at Cham temples and towers, then moves to the villages, families of monks, dignitaries, and Cham Brahman families. It aims to show respect to gods and pray for favourable weather, bumper harvests, marital harmony, and the health and protection of society.

The festival features other traditional rituals and performances, including the opening ceremony of the main tower, Linga-Yoni altar bathing rite, dressing up and making offerings on the occasion of Kate in front of the main tower.

This year, the festival takes place from October 1-2.

Binh Thuan is home to more than 40,000 Cham people who live primarily in the districts of Tuy Phong, Bac Binh, Ham Thuan Bac, and Tanh Linh.

🌄 On the occasion, local authorities have visited and extended greetings to Cham dignitaries, policy beneficiaries, and reputable people and the whole Cham community in the province./.