On the morning of February 18 (January 2), the Phuong Vu Pagoda Festival (Tho Loc village, Minh Khai commune, Vu Thu district, Thai Binh province) was held, attracting thousands of people to attend.
The festival attracts the attention of tourists from all over with its strange procession of palanquins, water wading, wading in rivers and ponds and trampling on rice fields. In small alleys, along the palanquin route, many families set up trays of offerings in front of the gate to celebrate.
The most special and interesting feature of the festival is the procession of three palanquins named Song Loan, Long Dinh and Le palanquin. There are 3 main procession young men and 24 to 4 reserve people. They are called the "fit price" team.
The palanquin is carried from the village communal house to the temple. On the way, the procession will enter a number of houses whose owners have made great contributions to the temple. This year, the palanquin returned to Mr. Thang's family in Tho Loc village, who also visited last year. However, according to Mr. Hiep (Phu Gia), during the procession, the processioner cannot know in advance where the palanquin will enter.
The place that attracts many visitors is a water lily pond next to the temple. Here, the monks had to wade in the mud for about 15 minutes.
After all 3 palanquins are on the water, one by one they can go ashore. Normally, the whole team tries to continue carrying the palanquin even though they are tired, because if they continuously change backup people to carry the palanquin, it will take longer for the palanquin to be lowered, for spiritual reasons.
Nguyen Van Hong Khang had cramps while soaking in the pond. Immediately after that, he received the support of the Organizing Committee, and at the same time changed to a reserve support team to participate in the procession. “Khang has participated in processions for many years, but this incident was unavoidable. "Almost every year, someone has cramps," shared Mr. Hiep, a member of the procession.
Wherever the palanquin went, hundreds of people followed.
After starting the palanquin procession from the temple to Phuong Vu Pagoda, the village streets were filled with people.
Thousands of people crowded both sides of the river waiting several hours to see the palanquin pass and wade into the river.
During the process of bringing the palanquin down to the river, unfortunately many items inside the palanquin fell into the water.
Each palanquin stays in the river for about 15 minutes before being disembarked.
Luckily today the temperature in the North is warm, about 25 degrees Celsius, so the procession troops are not immersed in the cold.
After coming up from the river, one of the three palanquins was carried on the field where young seedlings were still being planted.
A young man fell into the water while trying to bring the palanquin from the field to the shore.
After coming up from the river, the procession headed to Phuong Vu Pagoda.
Before bringing the palanquin to a solemn position in the temple, the boys immersed themselves in the large well one last time.
The ceremonial palanquin is the first palanquin to end the journey. After about half an hour, the two palanquins Song Loan and Long Dinh arrived at the pagoda.
This festival is held from January 7 to 10 every year. This is an opportunity for the people of Tho Loc and Minh Khai commune to gather and respectfully offer offerings to Saint Tu Dao Hanh, praying to the saints for blessings for a prosperous and peaceful life.
