The Tra Bong district People’s Committee in Quang Ngai province held a ceremony on May 14 to kick off the Truong Ba Temple Festival and to receive a certificate honouring the temple as the national historical site.
The recognition came after the decision was made by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on May 9.
Located in Tra Xuan town, Truong Ba temple is a unique historical site representing a combination of the cultural values of the Kinh and Cham ethnic groups. The temple serves as a communal place for the locals in their spiritual and religious practices and the symbol of the solidarity of the ethnic groups living in Quang Ngai province.
Ceremonials held in the temple express the people’s respect to Goddess Thien Y A Na, Holy Mother of the Cham community in the south-central region.
Activities commemorating the Holly Mother are held four times per lunar year: on the 15th and 16th days of the fourth and ninth months (Spring and Autumn Fests), on the seventh day of the first month and on the 25th day of the 12th month. Of these, the Spring Fest is the largest event, and is considered the major festival of the temple.
The 2014 festival featured a lantern release ceremony, a Buddha bathing ceremony, a procession and an offering ritual to the Holy Mother.
Resounding performances of gongs, martial arts and tuong (classical drama) were held during the event, as were lion dances, cooking contests and various folk games.