ID :
181933
Fri, 05/13/2011 - 10:57
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http://m.oananews.org//node/181933
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Thais mark annual royal ploughing ceremony
BANGKOK, May 13 (TNA) - People have gathered in Bangkok to observe this year’s royal ploughing ceremony, at which a customary ritual prophesized sufficient water supplies for cultivation and a good yield of all produce for the year.
His Royal Highness Crown Prince of Thailand Maha Vajiralongkorn presided over the morning ceremony on Friday, which was held at Sanam Luang ground from 8.33am local time. Accompanying the crown prince was Her Royal Highness Princess Srirasm and Her Royal Highness Princess Bajra Kitiyabha.
Assuming the role of royal plougher was Chalermporn Piroonsarn, permanent secretary of the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry. He and ceremonial female rice seed porters followed members of the Royal Institute and a group of Brahmins to the royal pavilion there. The royal plougher paid homage to the royal figureheads and returned to the field.
While officials harnessed two sacred cows, the royal plougher ploughed the soil in three oval rounds and three rounds moving in cross lines, sowing seeds. An astrologer hit a gong before another round of ploughing to cover the seeds was undergone. Following this, the officials freed the sacred cows from their harness. Brahmins offered paddy, corn, beans, sesame, liquor, water and grass for the cows to eat.
According to tradition, certain occurrences during the ceremony can prophesize coming events. As the royal plougher drew a 60-inch robe, it is expected that there will be appropriate water supplies for cultivation, a good yield of all produce and sufficient food supplies for the year. Furthermore, as one of the sacred cows ate grass, it is predicted that there will be sufficient water supplies and abundant levels of food. The other sacred cow drank the liquor, leading to the forecast that there will be improvements in transport and foreign trade as well as economic growth. (TNA)
His Royal Highness Crown Prince of Thailand Maha Vajiralongkorn presided over the morning ceremony on Friday, which was held at Sanam Luang ground from 8.33am local time. Accompanying the crown prince was Her Royal Highness Princess Srirasm and Her Royal Highness Princess Bajra Kitiyabha.
Assuming the role of royal plougher was Chalermporn Piroonsarn, permanent secretary of the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry. He and ceremonial female rice seed porters followed members of the Royal Institute and a group of Brahmins to the royal pavilion there. The royal plougher paid homage to the royal figureheads and returned to the field.
While officials harnessed two sacred cows, the royal plougher ploughed the soil in three oval rounds and three rounds moving in cross lines, sowing seeds. An astrologer hit a gong before another round of ploughing to cover the seeds was undergone. Following this, the officials freed the sacred cows from their harness. Brahmins offered paddy, corn, beans, sesame, liquor, water and grass for the cows to eat.
According to tradition, certain occurrences during the ceremony can prophesize coming events. As the royal plougher drew a 60-inch robe, it is expected that there will be appropriate water supplies for cultivation, a good yield of all produce and sufficient food supplies for the year. Furthermore, as one of the sacred cows ate grass, it is predicted that there will be sufficient water supplies and abundant levels of food. The other sacred cow drank the liquor, leading to the forecast that there will be improvements in transport and foreign trade as well as economic growth. (TNA)
