Image of festival with 3 palanquins "flying" into water in Thai Binh

Image of festival with 3 palanquins "flying" into water in Thai Binh

Sunday, February 18, 2024 12:44 PM (GMT+7)

On the morning of February 18, dozens of young men waded in the water to carry and process the palanquin at the Phuong Vu Pagoda festival, the 9th day of the Lunar New Year 2024.

Phuong Vu Pagoda Festival (Minh Khai Commune, Vu Thu District, Thai Binh Province), held from January 7 to 10, attracts a large number of visitors.

The highlight of this festival is the procession of palanquins on water, including 3 palanquins: Song Loan, Long Dinh and Kieu Le on the morning of January 9.

Previously, local people had come to Phuong Vu Pagoda to visit and worship. The organizers said that this is the second consecutive year the festival has been held after being stopped due to Covid-19.

24 strong young men were chosen to carry the palanquin. Before that, they had to perform a ceremony to ask for the yin and yang altar on January 6.

The palanquin rotates while moving at Tho Loc communal house. The day before the festival, young men will carry the palanquin to Tho Loc communal house, the next day, which is the main festival, they will carry the palanquin from the communal house to Phuong Vu pagoda.

Locals and tourists from all over surrounded the three palanquins as they were moving on the road...

... and when "flying" down to rivers and lakes.

Ponds, lakes, rivers, temples, and shrines are the places the three palanquins stop by. The Tho Loc River attracts many people to watch the palanquins rotate on the water.

The river was up to head level, but the procession still had to move.

The organizers said that the 24 young men carrying the palanquin have 3 days to maintain their health to prepare for the festival.

Each procession usually ends at exactly noon (12 o'clock). The three palanquins are gathered at Tu Dao Hanh Temple.

Visitors captured memorable moments of the festival.

Phuong Vu Pagoda is located in the Phuong Vu Temple relic complex. According to historical records, Saint Tu Dao Hanh came to this land to teach people how to cultivate. He saw a piece of land shaped like a phoenix spreading its wings and dancing. Seeing the favorable location, he built a pagoda to worship Buddha. According to the village elders, the festival is an occasion for people to gather and respectfully offer sacrifices to Saint Tu Dao Hanh, praying for a prosperous and peaceful life.

An Binh

Source: https://danviet.vn/hinh-anh-le-hoi-co-3-chiec-kieu-bay-xuong-nuoc-o-thai-binh-2024021812433002.htm