An Giang is not only famous for its spiritual tourist destinations such as Ong Bac Pagoda (Bac De Temple), Huynh Dao Pagoda, Phuoc Thanh Pagoda,... but also has colorful cultural activities such as the Bac De Temple Festival. Lord of Mount Sam. This is the rebirth of the colorful spiritual panorama of the four ethnic communities of Kinh, Khmer, Chinese, and Cham.
1. The story of the birth of the festival of Lady Chua Xu of Sam Mountain
The Ba Chua Xu Festival in Sam Mountain in Chau Doc city has existed for a long time, imbued with the national cultural identity of residents of the Southern river region. On December 19, 2014, the Ba Chua Xu Festival of Sam Mountain was included in the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. In addition, in 2016 this activity was honored by UNESCO as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
-ย ย The meaning of the festival of Lady Chua Xu of Sam Mountain
The Ba Chua Xu Festival in Sam Mountain contains historical marks from the period when the Vietnamese people came to An Giang. This is a traditional festival that has been preserved and practiced for many generations, expressing the identity and continuity of the Kinh community in the process of cultural, political, and economic exchange with the Chinese, Khmer, and Cham people. . Through the Ba Chua Xu Festival of Sam Mountain, it contributes to connecting with the spiritual life of the people of Chau Doc, while also helping to preserve the historical values โโof our ancestors in the Patriarch's journey to open up the southwest land. country. In addition, Ba Chua Xu Temple is close to Huynh Dao Pagoda so you can easily visit and make a pilgrimage after participating in the ceremony.
-ย ย Legend of Lady Chua Xu of Sam Mountain
According to legend, in the period 1820 - 1825, when the Siamese army invaded our country, they encountered a large stone statue sitting on the top of Sam mountain. They tried their best to carry it down the mountain, but at a certain point, the statue suddenly became heavy and could not be lifted. One of them was so angry that he broke her left arm but was immediately punished.
Some time later, her statue appeared in the dreams of many people in the village, calling herself Ba Chua Xu. Dreaming that she should carry the statue down the mountain to build a shrine. She will protect the villagers from invaders and bless them with good weather and wind.
Listening, the whole village joined forces to carry the statue of Ba Chua Xu down the mountain, but for some reason, even the strong young men could not lift it up. At that time, there was a girl claiming to be the Holy Mother Goddess who said that she only needed 9 virgin girls to shield her. Sure enough, the nine virgin girls were then able to move her easily. At the foot of the mountain, the Lady statue suddenly became too heavy to move further. Since then, local people have understood that this is the location that God chose and established the temple.
2. Time and location of the Goddess of Sam Mountain Festival
-ย ย Time information
Time: From April 23 to April 27 of the lunar calendar every year.
-ย ย Overview of Ba Chua Xu Temple in Sam Mountain, Chau Doc - Place of the festival
Location: Ba Chua Xu Temple, Sam Mountain, Chau Doc, An Giang province.
Normally, when there is no ceremony, Ba Chua Xu Temple in Sam Mountain also has a large number of Buddhists visiting day and night, respectfully worshiping. The reason this place attracts so many people is because those who come to worship and pray for luck, fortune or peace are blessed by the Lord and are very effective. In addition, the architecture here is also very impressive with bold Indian colors.
3. What is special about the festival of Lady Chua Xu in Sam Mountain?
-ย ย Ceremony
This activity takes place with the main rituals: The ceremony of presenting her statue to the temple, the Bathing Ceremony, the Ceremony of Inviting the Deity of Mr. Thoai Ngoc Hau, the Tuc Tiet Ceremony and the Adoration Ceremony, the Chief Priest Ceremony and the Redemption Ceremony.
The ceremonial procession of the Lady's statue from the sandstone pedestal on the top of Sam mountain to her temple takes place from April 22, the night of April 23 to the morning of April 24 will be the Bathing Ceremony of the Lady. The bathing ceremony took place discreetly, only 9 virgin women were allowed to perform it. After bathing, her old clothes will be cut into small pieces and distributed to the attendees. This is considered a talisman to help bring health and peace.
At 3:00 p.m. on April 24, the Ceremony to Appreciate Mr. Thoai Ngoc Hau and his two wives will take place. This ritual will be performed by the village elders and the temple management board.
On the night of April 25 and morning of April 26, the Tuc Nhat Ceremony and the Xay Adoration Ceremony will take place with worshiping rituals to pray for favorable weather, good harvests, fertile land, and healthy and happy people. Offerings include: an uncooked white pig, a plate of "blood blood", a tray of raspberries, a tray of fruit, a tray of betel and areca nuts, and a plate of salted rice. The festival of Ba Chua Xu of Sam Mountain will end on April 27 after the celebration of the High Priest Ceremony and the Redemption Ceremony.
-ย ย Assembly part
After being recognized as a National Festival by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2001, this religious activity was invested in and organized more enthusiastically. In addition to the traditional ceremony, the festival is also held interwoven with programs imbued with the culture of the four ethnic groups Kinh, Cham, Chinese, and Khmer such as culture week, sports, folk games, performing national arts, etc. Folk games that are often organized include: Tug of war, artistic kite flying, continuous movement games, Chinese chess, stick pushing, cockfighting, human chess... Cultural and artistic activities are performed such as Lion and dragon dance, tray dance, shadow dance, plate and cup dance...
With interesting activities during the Festival season at Ba Chua Xu Temple in Sam Mountain, every year this place attracts more than millions of people from all over the world, most of which are the Mekong Delta and the Southeast region to attend. ceremony, offering incense...
4. Experience and notes when participating in the Festival of Lady Chua Xu of Sam Mountain
If you are planning to participate in the Ba Chua Xu Festival of Sam Mountain, you need to keep in mind the following issues:
- The festival has the participation of many people, so jostling and jostling is unavoidable, so please preserve your property carefully to avoid pickpockets.
- To be safe, you should not buy incense or roasted pork from outside vendors, but prepare it in advance or go to reputable stores to buy it.
- Absolutely do not accept fortune from anyone who puts it in your hand to avoid the phenomenon of unfairly demanding money.