The Royal Plowing Ceremony, conducted annually as a means for palace astrologers and Brahmin priests to foretell the health of the nation and the future outcome of the harvest season, will be held in Takhmau City in May, Information Minister Khieu Kanharith announced on Friday.
King Norodom Sihamoni will attend the ceremony on May 17, the minister said.
The event will be a “three day ceremony, and May 17 is the official [day] under the King’s presence,” Mr. Kanharith wrote in an update to his Facebook account, which is the minister’s primary mode of official communication with the public. Holding the ceremony in Kandal province, where Takhmau is located, follows last year’s ceremony held in Kompong Cham province.
For many years, the plowing ceremony was conducted in Veal Mean, the sacred garden area in front of the National Museum, which is now home to the dilapidated remains of the structures erected for the cremation of King Father Norodom Sihanouk in February 2013.
A staff member at the National Committee for Organizing National and International Festivals said the plowing ceremony will be held at the provincial sports stadium.
