(Baonghean.vn) - On March 3 (January 13, At Mui year), the Mai King Temple Festival officially opened. The opening activities for the 3-day festival from March 3 to March 5 are the Water Procession and the Opening Ceremony organized by the people of Nam Dan town.
The Water Procession Ceremony is a spiritual ritual that has existed since ancient times, originating from the agricultural production practices of the people of Nam Dan district, with the idea of clearing the water, filtering the turbid water, and cleansing before entering the Festival to commemorate and pay tribute to the King, the national hero Mai Hac De - the leader of the Hoan Chau uprising to drive out the Tang invaders. For many reasons, the Water Procession Ceremony has not been held for a long time and has only been restored at this year's Mai King Temple Festival.
People in traditional costumes prepare to carry water on the upper Lam River.
Strong young men were assigned the task of carrying the palanquin.
At 7:30 a.m., the ceremonial group participating in the water procession ceremony, including leaders of the Party Committee - People's Council - People's Committee - Fatherland Front Committee, the Elderly Association and a large number of people of Nam Dan town, arrived at the Mai King Temple in Nam Dan town to perform the incense offering ceremony. From this sacred temple, the water procession group carried many sacrificial objects, drums and gongs to Sa Nam wharf and then boarded a dragon boat upstream to the upper stream - the intersection between Nam Dan district and Thanh Chuong district.
The water procession departs from the riverbank.
Clearing the muddy water and clearing the middle of the river, the two masters of ceremonies performed the ritual of scooping water from the riverbed with bamboo and coconut shells, filling it into the earthenware jars they brought along. The full earthenware jars were then carried onto the palanquin. At this time, the dragon boat returned downstream to the wharf.
People sit on boats to watch the water procession.
Dragon boat upstream
Performing the water drawing ceremony on Lam River
Representatives of the Town Elders and Town leaders - co-celebrants performed the ceremony
At 10:00 a.m., the water procession arrived at the Mai King Temple. Here, the water offering ceremony to Mai King was held. The two masters of ceremonies together offered the water jar to the Upper Hall, respectfully lit incense sticks to commemorate Mai King's merits, and prayed for favorable weather and prosperity for the homeland. The water offered to Mai King will be used to wash the sacrificial objects and offerings during the 3 days of Mai King Festival.
Put the jar of clean water on the palanquin
The water procession arrives at King Mai Temple
Human Chess at the Festival
Prepare for the camp
The water procession took place solemnly and respectfully, opening the 3-day sacred and joyful festival.
This afternoon, the Organizing Committee of the Mai King Temple Festival held the Announcement Ceremony at Mai King's Tomb, Mai King's Temple, Mai King's Mother's Tomb and Mai King's Mother's Temple; along with that, cultural and sports activities were held such as organizing a camping festival, wrestling festival, opening men's volleyball tournament, organizing chess, cockfighting and folk games at Mai King's Tomb, Van Dien commune.
Tonight (March 3), the Festival Organizing Committee will hold a lantern releasing ceremony to commemorate the merits of King Mai and the generals; and open the mass art performance of communes and towns.
Video clip of the water procession at the Mai King festival:
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