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Recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Linh Son Thanh Mau Festival at Ba Den Mountain is an occasion to honor an important spiritual symbol of the Southeastern region.
The origin of the Linh Son Thanh Mau Festival at Ba Den Mountain
The Linh Son Thanh Mau Festival is a time to remember the contributions of Linh Son Thanh Mau of Ba Den Mountain. The festival is linked to many mystical legends. Among these, the story of Ly Thi Thien Huong is widely known. It is said that in the 18th century, a district official in Hoang Hoa (now Trang Bang) had a daughter named Ly Thi Thien Huong. Many young men in the area wished to marry her.
On one occasion, when she was about to be captured by a cruel local tyrant, she was saved by the brave warrior Le Si Triet. Later, they made a promise to marry. However, in response to a call from Nguyen Anh, Le Si Triet had to join the army. During a visit to the mountain to pray, Thien Huong was attacked by evil forces and was forced to leap into a deep pit to end her life.
After her death, Thien Huong appeared in a dream as a dark-skinned girl. Local elders often spoke of her miraculous ability to warn of impending dangers. From then on, the people began to worship Linh Son Thanh Mau, and the place came to be known as Ba Den Mountain.
Festival schedule
The Linh Son Thanh Mau Festival is usually held from the 4th to the 6th of the 5th lunar month at Linh Son Tien Thach Pagoda and Ba Temple. This year, the festival falls from June 8th to June 11th on the Gregorian calendar. The festival lasts for three days, originating from the story of Ly Thi Thien Huong appearing in a vision to inform the monk Tri Tan of her passing. At the time, her body had been in a deep pit for three days but remained intact.
Every year during the festival season, Ba Den Mountain is filled with visitors from all directions. Tourists are amazed by the temple's decorations, with hundreds of Buddhist festival flags, lotus-shaped lanterns, conical hat lanterns, and rice flower lanterns. The air is thick with incense smoke, and elaborate offerings are respectfully arranged at Ba Temple and Ba Pagoda. The festival atmosphere is lively with numerous cultural performances and activities.
Rituals during the festival
The spiritual beauty of The Linh Son Thanh Mau Festival lies in the fusion of folk worship customs and Buddhist rituals. Over the three days of the festival, six main rituals are performed.
Wooden Statue Bathing Ritual (Statue Bathing)
This is a traditional Buddhist ritual with the purpose of purification. At exactly midnight on the 4th of the 5th lunar month, six middle-aged lay Buddhists close the Ba Temple doors. They then turn off most of the lights and candles, lighting incense to ask permission to bathe and change the clothes and crown of Ba.
Hung Tac Ritual
The Hung Tac Ritual takes place on the morning of the 4th at the main hall of Ba Pagoda. Lay Buddhists and pilgrims invite the City God, a great hero who contributed to building and protecting the borders. Monks chant prayers to invite Him while the sound of two-stringed instruments and bamboo flutes plays in the background.
Ten Offerings Ritual
The 5th is considered the official day of the Linh Son Thanh Mau Festival with the Ten Offerings Ritual. It involves offering precious gifts and expressing reverence to Linh Son Thanh Mau. The ceremony is accompanied by music and chanting. The officiating monk guides the female worshippers through the process of offering ten ceremonial items, including incense, flowers, lamps, tea, fruits, food, water, robes, pearls, and treasures, placing them on the altar in front of the statue of Ba.
Inviting Mr. Tieu to the Temple
On the 5th, the ritual to invite Mr. Tieu to the temple will be held at the front hall of Linh Son Tien Thach Pagoda. Mr. Tieu (also known as Tieu Dien Dai Si) is the incarnation of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, who is said to bring salvation to all beings. This ritual is deeply rooted in Northern Buddhist traditions.
Additionally, there will be the rituals of offering prayers to the revered names and making the Noon offerings to the Buddha. These two ceremonies symbolize the fusion of folk beliefs and Buddhism in Vietnam.
In addition to the main rituals of the Linh Son Thanh Mau Festival, visitors can engage in various fun activities. You can receive blessings from Ba at the temple, such as rice or salt, as a prayer for peace. Other activities include offering lotus candles, watching golden tray dances, shadow puppetry, drumming, lion dances, and lotus dances...
According to Mytour.vn
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Source: Mytour.vn Travel Guide
Mytour.vnJune 6, 2024
