Thien Hau (Mazu goddess) TempleFestival at Phu Cuong Ward in Thu Dau Mot City occurs on the 15th of lunar January every year; thus, it is also called Middle Lunar January Festival. In the recent days, tourists and pilgrims have added up to create a jubilant and joyful atmosphere and lengthen the holiday of local people.
Jubilant atmosphere
Before Tet Holiday, the park at the front gate of Thien Hau Temple has been decorated with plenty of colorful lanterns to welcome everyone from everywhere. From the 3-entrance gate to the court yard of the temple, flags and lanterns have also been arranged in great number. For years, Thien Hau Temple festival has become the traditional of the locality.
As usual, the festival starts on the middle of lunar January but visitors have began their trips to the place. Mr. Diep Quang Hung, Deputy Head of the festival monitoring staff, informed that the visitors have gathered more and more for the festival during Tet Holiday especially on the first day of the lunar year. Aside from local people, many have come from Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Tay Ninh, Ba Ria Vung Tau, and provinces of the middle high land and the north of Vietnam. Hung informed that every year, the Thien Hau Temple festival could attract about 1 million tourists.
Visitors from everywhere are visting Thien Hau Temple. Photo: H. Thuan
Thien Hau Temple, a place of religious belief, on daily basis, attracts thousands of people who come to offer incense and pray. At the front hall of Mazu goddess, people usually come to pray for peace, family harmony, happiness, good health and business.
Ms. Tran Thuy Linh from Thu Duc District of Ho Chi Minh City, visiting the temple with her husband and two children, said: “On the day of grand ritual, it would be very hard for us to get into the front hall of Mazu goddess to pray; thus, we make use of a few days after Tet Holiday to visit the temple at ease. I want to be here at the festival with my family to pray for good health and harmonious family.”
A meaningful festival
The Thien Hau Temple festival was originated from the worshiping of Mazu goddess of ancient Chinese in Binh Duong Province. Nowadays, the festival has been socialized to become a festival for all people classes. For this year, the 4 associations of Chinese in Binh Duong Province would be the organizers of the festival including Fujian, Guangdong, Kejia, and Chaozhou. The association of Fujian is the monitor of the festival for which Mr. Diep Quang Hung is the Deputy Head. It has been announced that the festival would began on the 15th of lunar January kicking of by auction of lanterns for charity drives. As many years of the festival, 9 lanterns representing luck and harmony would be displayed for auction. The auction gained benefits should be donated to charity drives and constructions of public places in the year.
Incense is offered at the front hall of Mazu goddess. Photo: H. Thuan
The festival is coming by when the receiving of Mazu goddess palanquin marching through the temple to the major streets of Thu Dau Mot City along side with flower-decorated cars, ancient music bands, and dragon-unicorn-lion dancers of Binh Duong and Ho Chi Minh City. People along the streets where the palanquin would pass through would pray for peace and prosperity.
In the first days of a new year, Thien Hau Temple festival has meaningfully diversify spiritual life of locals in Binh Duong Province; however, to maintain the great cultural feature, the participants should not fall for cheating by the services as many visitors have expressed their anger for being cheated by catering and parking services.
Reported by Hong Thuan – Translated by Vi Bao
