Kiep Bac Temple Festival
Kiep Bac temple is located in Chi Linh district, Hai
Duong province. This is a charming area with mountains and rivers. The temple
worships Hung Dao Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan - the national hero who was of great
merit in the struggle against Mongolia invaders.
The 19th of the 8th lunar
month is the principal day of the festival; the spectacle looks very animatedly
and bustlingly. Boats, cars, and foot are main vehicles that pilgrims usually
use. Tens of thousands people gather here to celebrate the national hero's
merit and glorify inflexible strength of a country which is of tradition of
opposing invaders. At the same time, they also travel to see beautiful sights
here.
Kiep Bac temple is opposite to Pha Lai river, in
front of Duoc Son Mountain, which is liken the shape to a bow as if it embraces
the whole relic area. The temple comprises the upper temple, Tran Quoc Tuan's
grave, the altars of his mother, his daughter and his son-in-law and the altars
of Yet Kieu - Da Tuong, two familiar talent generals of Tran Quoc Tuan.
Old men in the region tell that, formerly, in the
annual festival representatives of the court come to attend the sacrifice.
However, at that moment, main activities in the festival were in favor of
sacrifice, offering, amulet and incantation, going into a trance because they
believed that Hung Dao Vuong Tran Tuoc Tuan was not only the man of merit in
releasing the country, but also a patron saint to women and children, a man of
talent in abolishing devil and curing stubborn illnesses.
Nowadays, superstition has reduced much. This makes
the festival become more significant and ensures its liveliness and
distinguishedness. The festival starts with the offering joss stick of local
power. The representative of local authority reads a lecture to glorify the merit
of the national hero Tran Quoc Tuan as well as the victory of the fighting
against Mongolia enemy, and to call up our people's illustrious atmosphere more
than seven hundred years ago and manifest our people's rallying spirits and
patriotism.
After finishing the ceremony of offering joss stick,
the performance of national games attracts hundreds of participants, among
which, the most distinguished one is boat race. The boats run as fast as a shot
in the stream with sounds of observers' acclamation along two sides.
The romantic landscape here is also keen on a lot of
pilgrims. Sailing boat on Pha Lai River can see the whole landscape. If you
climb to Due Son Mountain, you can sit with relatives in grandiose natural
setting, under shadow of trees and autumn sunshine. Tourists can also see
films, dramas, or "cheo" with their content closing to the festival
or witness pickets which used to pierce closing to the festival or witness
pickets which used to pierce through the general O Ma Nhi's warships which or
see battlefield sketch of Tran Quang Khai, Tran Quoc Tuan in the museum.
Coming back from Kiep Bac temple, you may buy
necklaces or bracelets made of copper and wood to souvenir or give them to your
friends or relatives.
