Thousands of people packed the streets of Long Bien district in Hanoi on March 19 to participate in a palanquin procession of Ngo festival in Thach Ban ward.
Each year on the 10th day of February according to the lunar calendar, the Ngo festival takes place in Thach Ban ward in Long Bien district of Hanoi.
The festival is held to honour the tutelary deities for their significant contributions made to the village. One of the highlights of the festival is a distinctive ceremony featuring a palanquin procession.
The people of the locality worship four tutelary deities, including Linh Lang, La Lang, Phuong Dung, and Princess Hanh Hoa, all of whom helped local people to repel the invaders in the 11th century, according to the legend.
On regular days, these deities are worshipped solemnly inside the communal house, but during the course of the festival, their incense bowls are taken on a procession around the village.
The most anticipated event is the procession of the deities on a rotating palanquin.
The procession begins at the communal house before traveling across the streets of Thach Ban ward and then returning to the communal house.
At the auspicious hour, strong young men and women lift the holy palanquin onto their shoulders.
The holy palanquin is then carried in a very special way. It will move swiftly and flexibly, sometimes rotating, sometimes moving smoothly on the road, in an agile manner.
During the process some palanquin carriers get tired.
With the sound of ceremonial music and cheers from the spectators, both men and women carrying the palanquin will sway up and down continuously, creating an incredibly lively and joyful atmosphere.
The palanquin then returns to the communal house late at night.
Vietnamnet.vn
Podcast
.svg){kind=icon}
