Unique Water Procession Ceremony at Con Son Pagoda

On the morning of February 25 (January 16), the Water Procession Ceremony - one of the unique rituals in the Con Son - Kiep Bac Spring Festival 2024 was solemnly held at the Con Son relic site (Chi Linh, Hai Duong ).

The procession consisted of thousands of people in traditional costumes, standing in neat and tidy rows in each team, including: dragons, flags, parasols, eight treasures, halberds, palanquins of the three Truc Lam Patriarchs, vegetarian and non-vegetarian offerings, vases, incense, flowers...

At the head of the procession is the dragon team.

Next is the flag team.

The palanquin of the three Truc Lam Patriarchs in the procession

Right above is the team carrying the items.

The water jug ​​was transferred from the palanquin to the dragon boat to go to the middle of Con Son lake.

The sound of flowing water music, drums and gongs was also the moment the procession began to move from Con Son Pagoda to Con Son Lake. In the photo: Two smaller dragon boats were on “escort” duty.

On the shore, monks perform incense offering rituals, inform the gods, and pray for water.

On the dragon boat, the leader of the Hai Duong Provincial Fatherland Front Committee scooped water from the life circle into a thermos.

In the middle of the immense Con Son Lake - a place where water, spirits and blessings gather, in a solemn atmosphere, monks perform incense offering ceremonies, inform the gods, pray for water, recite sutras and mantras, release birds and fish... In the photo: Venerable Thich Thanh Van, Head of the Executive Committee of the Buddhist Sangha of Hai Duong province, performs the animal release ritual

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

The water jug ​​was moved ashore after the monks completed the sacrificial ritual.

Traditionally, the water tank will be brought to Con Son Pagoda to perform rituals of worshiping Buddha and bathing the statue.

The procession of water vases from Con Son Lake to Con Son Pagoda

The water procession at Con Son Pagoda has many unique, traditional cultural features that not many spring festivals have.

The water procession is a spiritual ritual, expressing respect and gratitude to Buddhas and saints, praying for favorable weather, good crops, the elimination of diseases, and prosperity. The ritual also demonstrates strength, evoking the connection of the village community... This is an important ritual, a unique and beautiful cultural feature at the Con Son - Kiep Bac Spring Festival that not many festivals have. This ritual was restored in 2008 and has been maintained until now.

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