Inviting Mr. Tieu and wandering souls rituals at 2025 Lam Chay Festival
The Lam Chay Festival in Tam Vu town, Chau Thanh district is a major event of the province, held to commemorate the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the resistance wars against French colonialism in the late 19th century. At the same time, this is also an occasion to pray for the wandering souls according to Buddhist customs, so that they can be liberated and not disturb human life as well as pray for peace.
16th of the first lunar month is the main day of the Lam Chay Festival, with many solemn rituals and exciting cultural activities. In particular, inviting Mr. Tieu and wandering souls rituals attract the attention of many people.
The festival takes place at Tan Xuan Communal House area with folk games such as smashing piggy banks, tug of war, sack jumping, Chinese chess, etc, attracting the participation of many people, from children to adults, creating a joyful and bustling atmosphere. Near noon, these activities are temporarily stopped to make way for the main rituals of the day.
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Folk games for children
One of the important rituals is the welcoming the cake trays prepared by local people in advance to displayed at the communal house.
In the year of the snake 2025, the image of a snake is commonly used in shaping cakes. After completing the ritual, the trays of cakes will be distributed to the participants.
In recent years, the distribution of fortune can be carried out earlier (instead of after 24 hours as before) to ensure security and order.
The cakes trays with extremely vivid snake mascots
At 10:30 a.m., the inviting Mr. Tieu ritual officially took place. The statue of Tieu Dien Dai Si (the incarnation of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, who specializes in subduing demons and saving sentient beings) was solemnly carried from Ong Pagoda to the platform in Tan Xuan communal house yard, accompanied by lion dances, flags, parasols, etc, creating a sacred and majestic scene.
Meanwhile, another group performed the ritual of inviting the wandering souls from Am Nhon temple, then brought the incense burner to the altar on the Mr. Tieu platform.
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Carrying Mr. Tieu from Ong Pagoda to Tan Xuan Communal House
At 12 o'clock, the ritual of inviting the wandering souls begins (divided into two groups, the land group and the water group), this is considered the most important part of the festival, contributing to creating a vibrant and characteristic atmosphere for the big festival in Chau Thanh district.
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On land, people gather in large numbers following the ritual of inviting the wandering souls
The water group also stops at places where people have set up offerings at small temples along the river for inviting the wandering souls
In the afternoon, the entertainment and worship activities continue until midnight, ending with the ritual of destroying the altar, burning Mr. Tieu and giving out fortune./.
By Staffs - Translated by Q. Thien
Source: https://baolongan.vn/le-ruoc-ong-tieu-chieu-u-tai-le-hoi-lam-chay-nam-2025-a190388.html
