VAN LOC TEMPLE FESTIVAL

Van Loc Temple is located in Nghi Tan ward, Cua Lo town, Nghe An province, has long been a famous spiritual destination of people in the region as well as tourists from all over the world. Van Loc Temple is the place to worship duke lieutenant Nguyen Su Hoi, who had merit in recruiting people, founding the village of Van Loc more than 500 years ago and worshiping a number of gods, Confucianists, and academics of the village.

This is an ancient architectural work built in the Le Trung Hung period, Van Loc Temple has been recognized by the state as a National Cultural and Historical Relic since 1991, experiencing many ups and downs of history. Until now, the relic still exists together with Lo mountain and Cam river.

The festival of Van Loc Temple, also known as the festival of duke lieutenant Nguyen Su Hoi is usually held in the fire years: Year of the Rat, Horse, Rabbit, Rooster (every three years on the occasion of the full moon of January), also known as the Blessing Ceremony, or Peace ceremony.

Mass and Communion:

On the morning of January 16^th, after three opening drum beats and reading a speech to review the history of the village's cultural traditions, stating the purpose and meaning of organizing the festival of the president of Cua Lo Town at the rally stand, incense offering ceremony to the gods in the temple from the delegates and the people. The procession is in order: the lion dance team, the two beaches of Tinh Tuc and Hoi Ti; gong drums, palanquin pictures of Uncle Ho; Bat Buu team; veterans; fruit tray; palanquin with color and throne; dukes, families; Certificate of National Monument; two seas of Hong Am, Dai Vuong and Thuong Dang god, team of spiritual flag; a team of of pink horses, glued to the palanquin; The long thrones of Nguyen Su Hoi and Le Khoi have canopies on both sides; corps, representatives of the families, etc.

A special feature of the procession is that they have churches along the way that the procession passes. They all make their own beautiful greeting gates with displays of incense, enough thrones, board of deceased person’s name, color box, wax, fruit flavor to welcome the procession. The procession goes from the temple to the west, turns left to the south, turns left to the east, turns left to the north and turns west to return to the temple. Whenever approaching a family altar, the procession slows down so that the representative of the family offers incense and flowers, worships and the lion team dances, while the drum team performs drum dance.

The blessing ceremony is the main ceremony, also known as the great sacrifice, which is conducted from about 19-20 p.m on the same day.

The steps of the ceremony according to the traditional procedure are available. In the content of the ceremony, an important part is reading the temple's testament and reading the village's testament. During the sacrifice, when reading the testament, as well as when offering incense and offering wine, there mixes with music, gongs, and drums, creating an attractive and sacred atmosphere.

Festival part:

There are many forms and many games. Traditional games such as cockfighting, human chess, boat racing, modern games such as competing volleyball, table tennis, football. There are also camping and cultural performances by professional art troupes.

Boat racing festival is held after the procession returns to the temple, always excitingly attracting thousands of tourists and people to participate. In the river, boats parked along the track, red flags fluttering. On the shore, a long line with a crowded audience, cheers resounded throughout the river.

Boat racing has two types: squad racing, each boat from 25-30 riders including one person holding a whistle or knocking a drum to give a signal. The second type is basket boat racing, which is very funny and has many thrilling and funny phases.

Van Loc area is considered a scenic spot of Nghe An province, with charming mountains and rivers, many famous monuments and landscapes attracting more and more tourists to visit.