ANNUAL AFFAIR: Every year pilgrims make the long trip to the Lady of the Realm Temple at the foot of Sam Mountain in An Giang Province.

Ba Chua Xu (The Lady of the Realm) is a goddess protecting locals who live in the southern region. Shrines that worship her can be found in many places, including Sam Mountain in An Giang Province, Go Thap in Dong Thap Province, and HCM City, particularly in District 9 and Nha Be District.

Ba Chua Xu Festival is one of the biggest religious events in the South, attracting nearly two million pilgrims yearly.

In the southern culture, Ba Chua Xu represents an image of a protector of the Vietnamese border and a tutelary of prosperity and health, and has many names, including Chua Xu Thanh Mau (Holly Mother of the Realm).

In addition to communal houses across villages, the Lady of the Realm is worshipped in small shrines and even in Buddhist temples, usually represented by glass paintings, and wooden or cement statues. 

The Ba Chua Xu Festival in Chau Doc’s Sam Mountain is held from the 23rd to the 27th day of the fourth lunar month, with the main rituals on the 25th.

JUST FOR FUN: After a solemn ceremony, folk dances, including a dragon dance, entertain the cheering crowds at the festival. VNA/VNS Photos Cong Mao

However, pilgrims can visit Chau Doc as early as January to experience the complex of historical and cultural relics such as the ancient pagoda of Tay Anh, Hang Pagoda, Bac Van Hill, Da Chet Hill, Tao Ngo Garden, and the Thoai Ngoc Hau Mausoleum, which is home to the protector of the southwestern border under the Nguyen Dynasty.

Ba Chua Xu Temple was recognised as a national monument in 1980.

The design and scale of the temple was relatively small when it was first built in Chau Doc in the early 19th century. After many years of upgrade, it is now one of the biggest temples in Vietnam.

Multiple solemn rites are organised on festive days, including the washing of the statue of the Lady, Tuc yet rite, Xay chau rite, and Chanh te rite, which are carried out in that order.

The first ritual takes place at midnight on the 24th day, attracting many participants.

Two big candles in front of the Holly Mother's statue are lit and this is followed by the rites of offering incense, wine and tea for her while praying. After that, women chosen prior to the event will perform a bathing ritual for the statue with fragrant water infused with jasmine and cinnamon behind a curtain. This activity lasts for about an hour. 

Tuc yet, being the main rite, begins at midnight on the 25th and continues into the early morning of the 26th. 

The Xay chau rite will be held afterwards with prayers for good weather and wealthy life.

The Chanh te rite is similar to the Tuc yet rite, marking the end of the festival.

The worship of the Lady of the Realm contains different cultural layers, making it difficult to trace back the origin or background of the Lady, experts have said.

Some notable influences on the worship can be seen in folk culture, Buddhism and Taoism, among other beliefs.

Pilgrims who flock to the festival tend to pray for fortune, health and peace in life.

The Ba Chua Xu Festival was recognised as a National Intangible Heritage in 2014.

In addition to traditional ceremonies, locals can enjoy numerous activities such as folk performances and kylin-dragon dances during the festival period.  VNS

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