Thousands of people crowded the procession carrying the palanquin of Lady Binh Duong.

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On the afternoon of February 24th (the 15th day of the first lunar month), the palanquin of the Goddess Thien Hau was paraded through the streets around the center of Thu Dau Mot City. This is considered the largest festival in Binh Duong province, attracting hundreds of thousands of pilgrims seeking good fortune in the early days of the new year.

Hàng nghìn người chen chân tại lễ rước kiệu Bà Bình Dương - 2

Earlier, from early morning, thousands of people crowded the main hall of Ba Thien Hau Pagoda (Phu Cuong Ward, Thu Dau Mot City) to ask for ashes.

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"Every year I travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Binh Duong to visit the shrine of the Goddess, to ask for ashes and pray for peace and good fortune at the beginning of the year," shared Ms. Cuc Hoa (62 years old).

The pilgrims included not only Vietnamese of Chinese descent but also people from all over the surrounding provinces and cities. Most people arrived at Thien Hau Temple a day in advance.

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There was a huge crowd jostling in the area where people could collect ashes; some had to ask others because they couldn't get in.

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According to Buddhist philosophy, the full moon day of the first lunar month (the Lantern Festival) is an auspicious time to pray for peace and well-being throughout the year. On this day, people often go to temples to make offerings, perform good deeds, and pray for peace and safety for themselves and their families.

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At around 2:30 PM, the temple closed the main hall, inviting all locals and tourists to leave for the ceremony before the Goddess Thien Hau departed from her palace.

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After more than an hour of ceremony, the statue of Thien Hau Thanh Mau was brought out of the temple, and the procession began parading through the streets.

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The palanquin carrying the statue of the Goddess Thien Hau moved from the temple, then along Tran Hung Dao, Nguyen Thai Hoc, Bach Dang, Doan Tran Nghiep, Hung Vuong, Cach Mang Thang Tam, and Nguyen Du streets before finally stopping at the Thien Hau Temple.

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The beauty of the young women and the celestial beings in the procession of the Goddess's palanquin.

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The lion and dragon dance troupes together livened up the entire neighborhood.

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Many babies were carried on their parents' shoulders to watch the procession of the Goddess's palanquin.

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"For decades, every year on this day, whatever our family is doing, we stop to go out and welcome her as she passes by," said Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thom (83 years old).