The Quynh Phu district People’s Committee in Thai Binh province held on March 14 a ceremony to kick off A Sao temple festival.
The ceremony taking place in Tuong (Elephant) national cultural and historical relic site saw the presence of Chairman of the provincial People’s Council Nguyễn Hồng Diên.
The ceremony featured a traditional procession and worshipping rituals dedicated to General Trần Quốc Tuấn, as well as folk games such as clay firework competition, volleyball match, chess tournament, tug of wars, etc.
According to legend, A Sao was a land given to Trần Liễu, father of General Trần Quốc Tuấn who had great merits in the creation of the powerful Tran
During the 2nd resistance wars against Mongols in 1285, A Sao used to be a strong military base for launching the naval battles.
Incense offering to General Trần Hưng Đạo at A Sao temple
Then, at the 3rd resistance wars against Mongols in 1288, A Sao was chosen as the headquarters of General Trần Hưng Đạo’s troops.
In one battle, when crossing the Hoa river at A Sao wharf, the war elephant of General Trần Hưng Đạo were bogged down.
After the war, local people set up two temples dedicating to General Trần Hưng Đạo (A Sao temple) and his elephant (Tuong temple).
A Sao temple’ traditional festival was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2016.
NL (TTXVN)
