Opening Ceremony of Van Temple - Cua Rao

(Baonghean.vn) - On February 17 (January 21, Dinh Dau year), in Xa Luong commune (Tuong Duong), the 2017 Van - Cua Rao Temple Festival officially opened.with exciting and attractive activities.

The Van - Cua Temple Festival is an occasion for the ethnic people living in the area to commemorate the merits of General Doan Nhu Hai (during the Tran Dynasty) in driving out the Ai Lao invaders and keeping the border peaceful.

The procession of the spirit tablet of Doan Nhu Hai and Tam Toa Thanh Mau. Photo: Dinh Tuan.

In a fierce battle, Doan Nhu Hai and many soldiers heroically sacrificed their lives in this land. To remember the merits of the Governor General and the soldiers of the Tran Dynasty, the people built a temple at the confluence of the Nam Non and Nam Mo rivers to take care of the incense all year round and organize festivals at the beginning of the year. Van - Cua Rao Temple is also used by the people to worship Tam Toa Thanh Mau - one of the "Four Immortals" in folk beliefs.

Crowds of people and tourists from all over the country come to Van - Cua Rao Temple to offer incense during the festival. Photo: Dinh Tuan.

This year's Van Temple - Cua Rao Festival took place solemnly and sacredly with the opening ceremony, proclamation ceremony, procession ceremony, great sacrifice ceremony and thanksgiving ceremony. The festival took place enthusiastically with camping activities, cultural and artistic exchanges, sports competitions and folk games imbued with regional cultural identity such as stick pushing, gong fighting, crossbow shooting, throwing con, swinging, and walking on stilts./.

Cong Kien - Dinh Tuan