The unique water procession ceremony at Con Son Pagoda.

On the morning of February 25th (the 16th day of the first lunar month), the Water Procession Ceremony – one of the unique rituals in the Con Son – Kiet Bac Spring Festival Program 2024 – was solemnly held at the Con Son historical site (Chi Linh, Hai Duong ).

The procession, consisting of thousands of people in traditional costumes, lined up neatly and orderly in teams, including: dragons, flags, parasols, ceremonial objects, spears, palanquins carrying the three founders of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism, vegetarian offerings, non-vegetarian offerings, water vases, incense, flowers, etc.

Leading the procession was the dragon team.

Next up is the flag team.

The palanquin carrying the three Patriarchs of Truc Lam is part of the procession.

Just above is the team carrying the items.

The thermos flask was transferred from the palanquin to the dragon boat to be carried out to the middle of Con Son Lake.

The melodious music of flowing water and drifting clouds, along with the lively sounds of drums and gongs, marked the beginning of the procession's movement from Con Son Pagoda towards Con Son Lake. In the photo: Two smaller dragon boats serve as "escorts".

On the shore, the monks performed rituals of offering incense, informing the gods, and ascending the altar to pray for water.

Beneath the dragon boat, the leader of the Fatherland Front Committee of Hai Duong province scooped water from the auspicious circle into a thermos flask.

In the midst of the vast, rippling waters of Con Son Lake – a place where water, spirits, and blessings converge – in a solemn atmosphere, monks perform rituals such as offering incense, invoking deities, praying for water, reciting scriptures and mantras, and releasing birds and fish as acts of compassion… In the photo: Venerable Thich Thanh Van, Head of the Executive Board of the Buddhist Association of Hai Duong Province, performs the ritual of releasing animals.

On the shore, the ceremonial team, locals, and tourists stood watching the ceremony.

The thermos flask was brought ashore after the monks completed the ritual.

Traditionally, the water vessel would be brought to Con Son Pagoda to perform Buddhist rituals, including bathing the statue.

The procession carries the water vase from Con Son Lake to Con Son Pagoda.

The water procession ceremony at Con Son Pagoda possesses many beautiful and unique traditional cultural features, not found in many spring festivals.

The water procession is a spiritual ritual, expressing reverence and gratitude to the Buddhas and saints, and praying for favorable weather, bountiful harvests, the eradication of diseases, and prosperity for people and livestock. The ceremony also demonstrates strength and fosters a sense of community within the village… This is an important ritual, a unique and distinctive cultural feature of the Con Son – Kiet Bac Spring Festival, unlike many other festivals. This ritual was revived in 2008 and continues to this day.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/van-hoa/646407-doc-dao-le-ruoc-nuoc-chua-con-son.html