Society

Burning votive paper has been restricted at temples in Nghe An during the early spring.

Minh Quan DNUM_AHZACZCACF 08:24

Every Lunar New Year and the first days of Spring, spiritual tourist attractions in Nghe An always welcome a large number of tourists and locals to visit and worship. However, unlike previous years, this At Ty Tet has recorded a clear change when the burning of votive paper has gradually been limited.

At Ong Hoang Muoi Temple (Hung Thinh Commune, Hung Nguyen District), the scene has changed a lot in the early days of Spring. In the past, it was easy to see giant paper horses lining up in long lines waiting to enter the temple to worship and burn votive papers, but now that image has become rare.

According to the representative of the temple management board, for a long time, people believed that Ong Hoang Muoi was a talented general who needed a horse to fight in the battlefield, so many people who went to the temple did not hesitate to buy a large paper horse to pray for peace, wealth and fortune. However, this was not only costly but also posed a risk of fire and environmental pollution.

Khu vực dịch vụ viết sớ giải hạn tại Đền Ông Hoàng Mười được quy hoạch gọn gàng, cách xa khu vực chính điện. Ảnh: Minh Quân
The service area for writing prayers to dispel bad luck at Ong Hoang Muoi Temple is neatly planned, far from the main hall area. Photo: Minh Quan

Aiming for a more civilized religious culture, since 2024, the Temple Management Board has implemented many measures such as re-planning the sales area, tightening service activities and especially promoting daily propaganda through the loudspeaker system. The gentle but persistent propaganda has gradually changed people's awareness. Thanks to that, this At Ty Tet, the burning of votive paper has significantly decreased, bringing a more peaceful space to the relic site.

Not only at Ong Hoang Muoi Temple, this change was also recorded at Qua Son Temple (Boi Son Commune, Do Luong District). After Tet, the number of pilgrims, although not as crowded as the first days of the year, was still quite bustling. However, instead of offering trays full of votive papers and billowing incense smoke, people now prefer simpler offerings, with very little votive papers.

Đền Ông Hoàng Mười_7
View of Qua Son Temple after Lunar New Year 2025. Photo: Minh Quan

However, in the service area of ​​the temple, the activity of writing petitions to pray for good luck is still quite busy. According to the representative of the temple management board, there is only the service of writing petitions and not organizing star worship ceremonies like many other places, and the service price is completely up to the visitors.

Ms. Phan Phuoc Lan, a tourist from Vinh city, shared: "As I understand it, offering prayers to the stars to ward off bad luck is an Eastern custom with profound humanistic meaning. Therefore, when I came to Qua Son temple, I wrote a simple prayer to pray for a peaceful year."

Some pictures at Ong Hoang Muoi Temple and Qua Son Temple:

Đền Ông Hoàng Mười_4
The area selling offerings to serve tourists visiting Ong Hoang Muoi Temple no longer has giant paper horses. Photo: Minh Quan
Đền Ông Hoàng Mười_2
People worship at Ong Hoang Muoi Temple. Unlike previous years, there are no longer any giant paper horses lined up in the worship areas. Photo: Minh Quan
Đền Ông Hoàng Mười_3
The incense burner does not have the scene of votive offerings overflowing and burning outside. Photo: Minh Quan.
Đền Ông Hoàng Mười_6
Offering at Ong Hoang Muoi Temple. Photo: Minh Quan
Đền Ông Hoàng Mười_1
However, there are still a few tourists who worship with huge trays of votive paper. Photo: Minh Quan
Đền Quả Sơn 1
At Qua Son Temple, most visitors choose light offerings. Photo: Minh Quan
Đền Quả Sơn 2
A tourist makes offerings with fruit, incense, flowers and very little votive paper. Photo: Minh Quan

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Burning votive paper has been restricted at temples in Nghe An during the early spring.
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