The main temple of Tien Huong looks brilliant during the night of a torchlight procession.
It is the centre for activities during the Phu Day festival. Photo: Tat Son
At the torchlight procession. Photo: Tat Son
The torchlight procession is held with the aim of bringing people belief
and hope for a happy and prosperous life. Photo: Cong Dat
Medium Tran Thi Kim Hue during the torchlight procession. Photo: Cong Dat
Phu Day is splendidly decorated with flags and flowers. Photo: Cong Khanh
Balloon shaped dragons, symbolising three Mother Goddesses, are released into the sky. Photo: Tat Son.
Pilgrims worship at the main temple of Tien Huong. Photo: Tat Son
The procession of the Mother Goddess’s palanquin is led by a Most Venerable and 12 monks. Photo: Cong Dat
The palanquin procession of Mother Goddess Lieu Hanh
starts from Tien Huong temple to Tien Huong pagoda. Photo: Cong Dat
The procession of Mau De Nhi (the second Mother who looks after the forest and mountain region,
the main living habitat of various ethnic minorities). Photo: Tran Thanh Giang
The procession of Mau De Tam (the third Mother who takes care of the rivers and water region,
giving benefits for water-rice growing and fishing). Photo: Tran Thanh Giang
The procession of Mother Goddess Lieu Hanh. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang
The procession attracts a large number of locals and tourists. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang
The procession from Tien Huong temple to Tien Huong pagoda. Photo: Cong Khanh
The procession at Tien Huong pagoda. Photo: Tat Son
The procession of Mother Goddess Lieu Hanh at Tien Huong pagoda. Photo: Tat Son
Offerings at Phu Day Festival. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang
The procession returns to Tien Huong temple. Photo: Cong Dat
The Phu Day festival is organisedfrom March 3-8 of the lunar calendar, honouring Mother Saint Lieu Hanh, the head deity in the Worship of Mother Goddesses. Mother Saint Lieu Hanh was worshiped in various localities, but the Phu Day festival is the biggest and most original. The festival lasts many days with diversified activitiesand “Hat van” or “Hau dong” (chant singing and trancing) is the most prominent.They are rituals with deep colours of esoteric spirits culture, which creates the distinctiveness and strong vitality of this special belief. The Phu Day festival is an important component of a great Lieu Hanh historical chorus. This shows that Phu Day is the centre of the Heritage of Worship of Mother Goddesses.
| Tam Phu in the Mother Goddess Worship belief corresponds to three different regions in the universe, namely “Thienphu” (the Heaven region), “Nhac phu” (the forest and mountain region) and “Thoai phu” (the river and water region). Each region is headed by a mother saint, including “Mau Thuong Thien” (the first Mother) managing the firmament and mastering supernatural powers such as clouds and rain, wind and storms, thunder and lightning; “Mau Thuong Ngan” (the second Mother), looking after the forest and mountain region, the main living habitat of various ethnic minorities, and “Mau Thoai” (the third Mother), taking care of the rivers and water region, giving benefits for water rice growing and fishing. |
Phu Day is a complex of traditional religious architecturein Kim Thai village, Vu Ban district in the northern province of Nam Dinh.Among 21 architectural works of Phu Day complex, three are closely related to Mother Saint Lieu Hanh, including Tien Huong temple (the principal one), Van Cat temple and Lieu Goddess shrine.
During the festival, thousands of people, including locals and tourists travel to Phu Day to pray for happiness, health and prosperity. The six-day festival features numerous traditional rituals, cultural activities and folk games, such as Chau van performances, lion and dragon dances, arts performances at Cay Da Bong temple, a “co nguoi” (human chess) competition and wrestling.
One of the highlights of the festival is a procession of the Mother Goddess’s palanquin and a torchlight procession at Tien Huong temple.
The torchlight procession is held on the night of March 3 with the aim ofgiving people the belief and hope for a happy and prosperous life. The procession starts with a torch lit at Tien Huong temple and then another 1,000 torches which are processed by the locals around Phu Day.The procession of the Mother Goddess’ palanquin stats from Tien Huong temple to Tien Huong pagoda. During the ritual, three balloonshaped dragons are released into the sky.
Phu Day Festival with its cultural activities related to Mother Goddesses Worship is an official part of theIntangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity recognised by UNESCO.
Medium Nguyen Tat Kim Hung perform the ritual of Hau dong,
an extremely special one of the Mother Goddess Worship. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang
The festival attracts thousands of tourists and pilgrims. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang
Shapping letters at the festival. Photo: Nguyen Long Hung
