The two towers: Thousands of ethnic Cham and tourists travelled to the Po Inu Nagar Temple, Po Klong Garai Tower and Po Rome Tower in the central province of Ninh Thuan to celebrate the traditional Kate festival yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY (VNS) — Thousands of ethnic Cham and tourists travelled to the Po Inu Nagar Temple, Po Klong Garai Tower and Po Rome Tower in the central province of Ninh Thuan to celebrate the traditional Kate festival that kicked off yesterday.

The festival, the largest on the Cham calendar, pays respect to the gods and makes offerings to ancestors, along with wishes for favorable weather, bumper crops and social harmony.

The event features a tower-opening ceremony, deity-bathing ceremony, and offerings at temples and towers as well as traditional music and dance performances.

Sports and arts activities are held, including contests to weave fabric, make pottery, and play folk games.

The festival is also an occasion for families to pray for prosperity and good luck.

The Kate festival is also being held in Binh Thuan Province's Phan Thiet City. — VNS