Coming to Ba Den Mountain, listening to a festival season

From early morning, the national highway towards Tay Ninh was bustling with pilgrims. Long lines of vehicles carried offerings, flowers and incense, and simple wishes of everyday life: praying for parents’ health, children’s success in school, success in work, and peace of mind.

This year, the Ba Den Festival takes place from May 30 to June 1, 2025 (ie May 4 to 6 of the lunar calendar), at both the Ba Temple area and the mountain top. This is an opportunity for tourists and Buddhists from all over to come to worship Linh Son Thanh Mau, participate in traditional spiritual rituals such as the Ba bathing ceremony, chanting sutras and offering 10 sacred offerings.

Ba Den Mountain – the highest mountain in the South, stands tall, with a quiet and mysterious beauty among the clouds. My first stop is Ba Temple, located halfway up the mountain, at an altitude of 350m above sea level, where Linh Son Thanh Mau is worshiped – the goddess that the locals believe has appeared to bless many generations.

Ba Temple is located in the Ba Temple system, nestled in the green forest, with ancient curved roofs. The temple was built from a protruding cave, and is the main place to worship Linh Son Thanh Mau in the Ba Mountain Temple system. Ba Temple is the only place in Tay Ninh to worship the statue of Linh Son Thanh Mau in the main hall. Every year, at Ba Temple, there are many cultural and religious activities, the biggest of which is the Linh Son Thanh Mau festival.

In the billowing smoke of incense, I saw lines of people patiently lining up to offer incense. There was an old lady with white hair, her hands trembling as she bowed. There was a young mother holding a baby who could not yet speak, whispering a prayer: “Please bless me.”

The festival atmosphere was crowded but not noisy. Each person who came brought with them a belief. Some people walked all night to make it to the main ceremony, others sat quietly in a corner, clasped their hands in prayer, their eyes filled with tears.

I also lit an incense stick. I didn’t pray for anything lofty, I just wanted to keep a little bit of sincerity – so that in the midst of life’s many changes, I would not lose faith. The temple bell rang softly in the wind. I wandered around the temple, listening to the chanting, the wind blowing through the trees, and the laughter of the pilgrims.

People gathered to buy flower lanterns and red cloth strips with prayers written on them, and hung them on the wishing tree in front of the Temple. Each branch was a wish, each color was a piece of a dream. Amidst the thousands of prayers, I suddenly understood: faith does not need to be great, it just needs to be enough to make people feel warm and continue.

From the Ba Temple area, I began to experience the cable car for about five minutes to the top of the mountain. At Tay Bo Da Son Square, the sacred space seemed to be still, the majestic statue of Buddha Tay Bo Da Son shone brightly. The Buddha statue had a gentle face, holding a vase of nectar in his left hand, and raising his right hand to form the Teaching Hand Seal. I felt the vastness and protection of the three jewels, in harmony with the majestic and poetic beauty of the sacred mountain. All boundaries and sufferings seemed to disappear, leaving only a deep connection with a source of peaceful and loving energy. From the square, I could look out at the panoramic view hidden in the sea of clouds, or the meditative scene with paths of blooming flowers. Ba Mountain appeared like a poetic painting woven by clouds, sky and mountain wind.

On the sacred peak of Ba Den Mountain - the roof of the South, Sun World Ba Den Mountain breathes life into every cultural feature through a series of unique activities, connecting spirituality and art. The highlight is the leaf market - a market where I can use Bodhi leaves to exchange Tay Ninh specialties, not only for buying and selling but also a journey to sow good karma, towards profound values.

On the evening of May 31, in the quiet and sacred space of the Tay Bo Da Son Buddha statue square, thousands of flower lanterns will be lit in the lantern offering ceremony, creating a magical moment, as if bringing people's hearts to a peaceful realm. On June 1, this place will be filled with the colors of childhood with Children's Day - bustling with laughter through folk games, lion dances and special art performances dedicated to children.

Visitors can also stop to worship at the Bodhi Garden - a place where sacred Bodhi trees are gathered from Bodh Gaya (India), and calm their minds before the "On Enlightenment" painting exhibition and the flower lantern space, where memories, art and faith come together. A poetic journey to culture - spirituality, an unforgettable experience in the clouds.

Leaving Ba Mountain when the sun was already slanting, I looked back at the sacred mountain in the sunset. At the foot of the mountain, rows of shops were bustling, the temple bells rang as if echoing from a distant land, the long dresses fluttered in the ceremonial wind, gentle and respectful. A festival not noisy with music , but quietly spreading with faith and memories.

The Lady’s Festival is not just a religious ritual – for me, it is a moment to calm down amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life, an opportunity to return to my own spiritual roots. Because there, among the clouds, there is always a sacred place that is quiet and tolerant, ready to open its arms to welcome me back – no matter where I am in life.

Legend has it that in ancient times, Quang Hoa (present-day Trang Bang) was famous for a girl named Ly Thi Thien Huong, who had a dark appearance but virtuous character and outstanding talent. She often went to the pagoda to worship Buddha on full moon days. Many young men in the area secretly admired her, including the arrogant son of a district magistrate who wished to take her as his concubine. After many unsuccessful attempts to seduce her with money, he ordered his subordinates to use force to kidnap the poor young woman.

In the midst of a dangerous situation, a young man named Le Si Triet heroically acted as a hero, rescuing Thien Huong from the cruel and tyrannical mob. He was known for his literary and martial skills, as well as his good looks and talent. Moved by this kindness, her parents arranged a marriage for the two and began to plan their marriage.

Unexpectedly, happiness did not last long, Le Si Triet had to join the army to pursue his great ambition. One time, while going up the mountain to pray for peace, she was unfortunately trapped by a young master's servant and had to jump into a deep pit to die to keep her loyalty. Thanks to her strong foundation of cultivation through several lifetimes, she escaped the cycle of suffering and humiliation and attained enlightenment to become a fairy.

After three days, her spirit appeared to inform the monk of her passing, hoping that he would help bring her mortal body back intact for burial. The monk listened to the advice and indeed found the remains of the ill-fated girl. The strange news spread far and wide to the ears of the Left General Le Van Duyet. With his upright nature and disbelief in superstitions, he immediately went up the mountain to investigate the truth.

Standing before the people, the Duke summoned the spirit of Thien Huong and said that if she was spiritual, she would become a saint. At this time, she possessed the soul of a country girl and told Le Van Duyet the whole story. At the same time, she also warned the Duke about his future injustice that would reach the heavens. Moved by her pure heart, Le Van Duyet returned to present a memorial to the king, and appointed Ly Thi Thien Huong as Linh Son Thanh Mau, residing at Mot Mountain (now Ba Den Mountain).

Mai Thao

Source: https://baotayninh.vn/ve-nui-ba-den-lang-nghe-mot-mua-le-via-a190683.html