Bac Ha Temple Festival

Where is Bac Ha Temple Festival held? What is the origin of this festival? What is special when it comes to Bac Ha Temple Festival? Let's find out through the article below.

Where is Bac Ha Temple located?

The temple is located in the center of Bac Ha town, with a majestic, sacred, ancient look and lovely mountain landscape, leaning against the mountain and facing the mother and son mountain.

Bac Ha Lao Cai temple is 5m wide, with a 3 kanji "Bac Ha Tu" (Bac Ha Temple) in the centre above the entrance gate 4m high. The Dai Bai building is composed of fine wood, the two sloping ends are built of enormous bricks, and the outside of the opposite end is embossed with a dragon's face, like a Nguyen Dynasty dragon. Above the roof is an image of "two dragons playing with the moon," which represents agricultural dwellers who are always hoping for good rain and wind, as well as healthy crops. The harem is located next to the Dai Bai residence and is divided into two sections. The main place of worship is located outside. In the middle of the outer house is the place to worship Saint Tran, the altar is divided into three levels.

Bac Ha Temple Festival

The forbidden palace, roofed with dragon scales, lies hidden beyond the harem. Inside, there is a wooden altar that houses the altar of Vu Van Mat and the Vu family. In the Bao Dai dynasty, there were two ordination canisters on the altar, but because the red loincloth warriors had previously taken them away, just the ordination canister, painted with gilded vermilion, remained. Mother Son peak may be seen plainly from the peak behind Bac Ha Temple in Lao Cai.

Who does Bac Ha Temple worship?

The temple was constructed towards the end of the nineteenth century to honor two brothers, Vu Van Uyen and Vu Van Mat, who moved from Gia Loc, Hai Duong, to Ngoc Uyen cave (present-day Bac Ha region)  to build a military base and stabilize people's life in a large border area.

Commemorating the achievements of Vu Van Uyen, Vu Van Mat, generals, and chiefs in fighting the enemy to quash the revolt and heroizing a broad area, mobilizing local ethnic minorities to protect the northern mountainous region and preventing the enemy from entering the border.

With appreciation and respect to the hero who has contributed to the people, country, and land of Bac Ha. The image of Bac Ha Temple in Lao Cai is an important cultural heritage in the historical development of a place at the top of the country. A traditional education center dedicated to building and protecting the Fatherland for current and future generations.

"During the seventh year of King Tu Duc's reign (1855), he ordained the Bau lords (brothers Vu Van Uyen and Vu Van Mat) to be the national princes and heroes of Bac Ha, making this land rich and densely populated," according to history books. According to historians of the Nguyen Dynasty, "the prestige of the Le dynasty was achieved thanks to the strength of the Vu cousins who fought against the enemy, the land was peaceful, and the people were at peace." 

Bac Ha Temple Festival

The Nguyen Dynasty also ordained the heroic spirits of the Bau lords to be the general guarding Tuyen Quang. In the first year of Gia Long, considering the merits of the national gods, Vu Van Mat was listed as one of the public gods of the Le Trung Hung dynasty.

The state designated Bac Ha Temple as a historical and cultural relic on October 29, 2003, and the main annual celebration is the 7th day of the 7th lunar month. Since then, the temple has served as a gathering place for residents of the region and visitors from all over the world to honor individuals who have rendered outstanding service to the people and the country. The celebration also benefits tourism items on Bac Ha's white plum blossom plateau.

Bac Ha Temple Festival

Every year on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, the Bac Ha Temple Festival is held at Bac Ha temple, Bac Ha town, Bac Ha district, Lao Cai province to commemorate the death of National Duke Vu Van Mat, who had the distinction of quelling riots, peaceful people, and strongholds in the Northwest of the 16th and 17th centuries.

The ceremony involves the following elements: an incense offering ceremony, a male sacrifice course, a female next course, and a palanquin procession.

During the festival, there will be numerous special sporting activities such as cock fighting, stick pushing, tug of war, and chess, in addition to the welcome cultural acts imbued with the local cultural identity, such as cock fighting, stick pushing, tug of war and chess…

Bac Ha Temple Festival

You should have a better understanding of the Bac Ha temple as well as the meaning of the Bac Ha temple festival after reading this article. If you have the chance to visit Lao Cai province, you must visit the dreamlike city of Sapa in the northern mountains. We offer Sapa trips for all levels of experience. Don't miss out on the thrilling adventure in this gorgeous land. We provide Sapa trips ranging from basic to highly qualified. Do not miss the exciting journey in this beautiful land.

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