April 6th, the good day in the ancient kingdom of Palmyra

Palmyra, SANA- The ceremonies in the ancient city of Palmyra start on April 1st of each year to reach their climax on the 6th, a day that has sanctity among the ancient Palmyrenes and is called the Good Day, on which the ancient Temple of Bel was dedicated.

Regarding the rituals of this feast in ancient Palmyra, archaeological expert, Mohammad Khaled Al-Asaad, told SANA that the pilgrims used to go to the temple with their sacrificed cattle, adding that after the animals are sacrificed and cooked, food is served to the invitees,then everyone circles the temple in conjunction with the influx of tens of thousands of pilgrims and worshippers to the courtyard of the Temple of Bel, where men and women wear the finest clothes and the finest perfumes.

Al-Asaad added that these rituals were carried out under the supervision of hundreds of priests, who wore their caps crowned with flowers and their white robes decorated with precious stones, carrying incense and jugs of perfumed oil, with the scents of perfume rise from the pots to full the place.

Baraa Ali / Mazen Eyon