People jostle each other to 'crawl for luck' in the middle of Hanoi's streets

February 24, 2024 | 21:13

TPO - On the 14th and 15th of the first lunar month (February 23-24), Do villagers (Ha Cau ward, Ha Dong district, Hanoi ) held a festival to carry the village's tutelary god from the communal house to the temple, and from the temple back to the communal house amid the joy of thousands of villagers and tourists.

It has become a custom that every 3 to 5 years, Do village (Ha Cau ward, Ha Dong district, Hanoi) solemnly organizes a festival to carry the village's tutelary god from the communal house to the temple, and from the temple back to the communal house.

Do village communal house worships General Do Bi (during the reign of King Le Thai To). He was originally from Nong Cong ( Thanh Hoa ) and served three generations of Le kings: Le Thai To, Le Thai Tong and Le Nhan Tong. He had many achievements in repelling invaders, helping the king and helping the country, and was rewarded many times by King Le.

Due to his merits, the people of many localities have honored him as the Saint and built temples to worship him. To show their respect, every year on the 14th and 15th of January, the people of Do village open the communal house to worship the Saint.

Despite the cold rain, tens of thousands of people and tourists came to Do village to participate in this unique festival.

Because the festival parade is right on Quang Trung Street (Ha Dong), the southern gateway of the city, security forces and Ha Cau ward police continuously direct traffic to serve the festival.

The procession was right on the main road so the festival atmosphere in the Capital City became vibrant and bustling.

The organizing committee representative said that due to difficult organization conditions and economic constraints, the village only organizes the procession once every 3-5 years.

Many "beautiful women" joined the procession.

To pray for good luck in the coming year, many locals and tourists take turns crawling under the Saint's palanquin.

According to folk belief, whoever crawls under the palanquin three times will have all their wishes come true, so everyone, old and young, men and women, especially children, eagerly jostle each other to crawl under the palanquin to pray for blessings, health, intelligence and luck.

The kilometer-long procession paraded through the streets of the capital from 8 a.m.

Many households and residential groups displayed offerings on the path where the Saint's palanquin passed by.

At about 11 o'clock, the Saint's palanquin returned to Do village communal house to offer incense.

Crowds of people and tourists came to Do village communal house after the parade.

Duy Pham

Source: https://tienphong.vn/nguoi-nguoi-chen-nhau-chui-kieu-cau-may-giua-pho-ha-noi-post1614711.tpo