[Video] Sacred heaven-earth sacrificing ritual on Ngu Nhac mountain

08/02/2023 10:02

The Organizing Board of the 2023 Con Son - Kiep Bac Spring Festival solemnly held a heaven-earth sacrificing ritual on Ngu Nhac mountain on February 7 morning.

Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Tran Duc Thang offers incense at Trung Nhac temple

This was a typical ritual of the festival to respectfully report to heaven and earth and pray for national peace and prosperity.

Delegates, locals, and visitors crossed a 1.8 km long road to Bac Nhac temple, representing water and worshipping Hac De – a high-ranking god in Taoism, on Ngu Nhac mountain to deferentially offer incense and flowers and pray for favorable weather.

From Bac Nhac temple, the delegation advanced to Trung Nhac temple to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth following traditional rites.

Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Tran Duc Thang and Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Trieu The Hung performed the ritual of giving grain to localities, departments, boards, sectors, locals, and visitors.

Leaving Trung Nhac temple, the delegation offered incense to Tay Nhac – the temple representing metal and worshipping Bach Ho Thanh De (White Tiger).

At the end of the heaven-earth sacrificing ritual, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Tran Duc Thang distributes grain to leaders of departments, agencies, and localities

Dong Nhac temple represents wood and worships Thanh Long De (Blue Dragon), a mythical creature governing all weal and woes in the human world. A sacrificing ritual was carried out at the temple to pray for relief of bad luck and advancement of position and fame.

Nam Nhac was the last temple on Ngu Nhac mountain the delegation offered incense to in the heaven-earth sacrificing ceremony.

Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Trieu The Hung gives grain to visitors attending the ritual

In the past, the heaven-earth sacrificing ritual often took place at Trung Nhac temple on the occasion of the spring festival. Over time, it was no longer held regularly.

In 2006, the provincial People’s Committee implemented the “2006 - 2010 Con Son - Kiep Bac Festival Project”, including the restoration of the heaven-earth sacrificing ritual on Ngu Nhac mountain on the morning of every lunar January 17.

The delegation departs for Ngu Nhac mountain to perform the heaven-earth sacrificing ritual

At Trung Nhac temple, monks, delegates, and people offer incense and sacrifices to heaven and earth to pray for the nation's peace and prosperity

A delegation from Suwon city, the Republic of Korea, attends the ceremony