The sacred water procession ceremony in the Mai King Temple Festival

Huy Thu• February 17, 2019 15:58

(Baonghean.vn) - On the morning of February 17 (ie January 13, the year of the Pig), at Sa Nam Town, Nam Dan District, a solemn water procession ceremony was held to open the 2019 Mai King Temple Festival.

Before the water procession at King Mai Temple, the Organizing Committee held a ceremony to report to the King and performed special drum performances.

From King Mai temple, the water procession departs to Lam river wharf.

The water procession in the Mai King Temple Festival is a spiritual ritual that has existed for thousands of years, originating from the agricultural production practices of local people, with the idea of clearing the water, purifying the turbid, and praying for a fulfilling festival season. After a period of decline, the water procession was restored in 2015.

From Sa Nam wharf, the procession carried many sacrificial instruments, drums and gongs up Lam River in 3 boats.

People gathered on the riverbank, singing folk songs and waiting for the water procession to return.

This year, Lam Son block, Sa Nam town has built 2 new dragon boats with a budget of 150 million VND to serve the traditional festival. During the water procession, these 2 boats are rowed by mothers and sisters on both sides of the big boat and at each river wharf, they perform a beautiful boat crossing.

When the boat reached Hung Son mountain, at the river bend in front of King Mai's tomb, they held a water drawing ceremony.

Mr. Tran Van Duy (97 years old) respectfully offered incense to report to the river god, mountain god and the spirit of King Mai Hac De, asking to draw Lam river water to perform the ceremony at the Temple.

Mr. Duy was the one who first scooped water from the Lam River into the earthenware jar. Then the delegates on the boat took turns scooping water into the jar.

The ceremony was completed, the jar was full of water, the boat went downstream to the dock, and the procession returned to King Mai's temple in joy.

This jar of water will be offered to the upper hall of King Mai Temple to be used for washing the sacrificial objects and offerings during the festival days. The water procession is the opening activity of the King Mai Temple Festival 2019.