The Mother Worship in Rija Nugar Festival of the Cham - Origins and Significance

Abstract

Along with polytheistic beliefs, Cham people in our country traditionally also worship the goddess. More recently, due to cultural exchange, the Cham community has been influenced by the worship of the Holy Mother, which makes their traditional worship of the goddess filled with Holy Mother worship form. This so far has been evident through the Rija Nugar festival of the Cham ethnic group, which is held every year in early January of the Cham calendar. During this festival, the Holy Mother worship of the Cham is always vividly portrayed in great detail. This is an age-old festival of the Cham people with their faith placed in the National Mother Po Inu Nagar.