Main praying ceremony at Phuc Co Temple - a unique cultural feature

Phuc Co Temple - Minh Hoa commune, Yen Lap district is a provincial-level historical and cultural relic, worshiping King Quang Trung and the seven great kings. Every year, Phuc Co Templ has 4 praying days: Annual festival (January 15 of the lunar calendar); Ha Dien Praying Ceremony (May 1 of the lunar calendar); Main Praying ceremony (November 5-6 of the lunar calendar) and Forest Closing Ceremony (December 25 of the lunar calendar). The main praying ceremony is an important holiday held annually by the government and people, expressing gratitude to ancestors and also praying for favorable weather, the growth of all things, and fresh trees.

Main praying day (November 5-6, lunar calendar): Villagers call it King Quang Trung’s day. In particular, the 5th day is the report day, the great ceremony and communion are held on the 6th day. After the ceremony, there are organized folk games such as: throwing shuttlecocks, pushing sticks, swinging tea, swinging, and fighting. Gongs, vi singing, rang singing of the Muong people, tug of war. Among them, swinging, pushing sticks and tug-of-war are unique activities that attract a lot of participation from everyone, mainly young people.

The sacrificial ceremony is held following ancient rituals.

Along with swinging, old legends are also preserved. On the main praying day, villagers also organize many traditional folk games such as stick pushing and tug of war, attracting the participation of a large number of athletes and fans.

Comrade Nguyen Van Tiep, Vice Chairman of Minh Hoa Commune People’s Committee and Head of the Phuc Co Temple management board, stated: "This year’s Phuc Co Temple praying festival features a variety of rich and appealing activities." The festival includes, in addition to the sacrificial ceremony, cultural exchanges between residential areas, schools in the area, and some neighboring localities; competitions in women’s air volleyball, men’s leather volleyball, and traditional sports such as tug of war, crossbow shooting, etc. The organization is supported by the family budget and other socializing sources. The organization of the communal ceremony aims to educate patriotic traditions, national pride and contribute to promoting the values of the relic site as well as preserving the traditional cultural values of the homeland.

Vinh Ha