On the fourth day of the Lunar New Year (February 1st), tens of thousands of people from all over flocked to Sam Mountain in Chau Doc city to visit and pay their respects to the Lady of the Realm.
In front of the main hall of the Lady of the Realm temple, people crowded to light incense and pray for good fortune in the new year.
According to legend, in the early 18th century, when the locals witnessed the spiritual power of the statue of the Lady of the Realm (enshrined on top of Sam Mountain), they decided to bring the statue down to the foot of the mountain for easier worship. Ever since, pilgrims have been visiting the Lady in increasing numbers.
Many people offered incense and flowers, praying reverently before the statue of the Lady, wishing for a prosperous new year.
People brought paper money, oil, fruits, and roasted pigs to offer to the Lady. There were so many offerings that the organizers had to continuously take them out to make room for more as people kept arriving.
Many prayed with their hands clasped against the stone wall behind the statue of the Lady. “I come here every year to pray to the Lady for my family’s peace and for smooth-sailing in my work,” said Ms. Nguyen Thi Nam from Dong Thap.
As the crowd grew, the organizers repeatedly announced through loudspeakers, asking people to limit the amount of incense burned to prevent smoke from causing eye irritation, and also to be cautious of potential pickpockets.
After paying their respects, people lined up to receive blessings for the new year.
Outside the temple, thousands of people inched their way towards the main hall.
Mr. Nguyen Ho Tan from Binh Duong, along with his family, took photos after visiting the Lady of the Realm. “My family took advantage of the holiday to go on a spring trip and pay our respects to the Lady. Every year, I see this place bustling with people,” Mr. Tan shared.
At 5 pm, people were still making their way to the Sam Mountain area. A 200-meter stretch of road leading to the temple was closed to vehicles, and visitors walked to pay their respects.
In December 2024, the Sam Mountain Lady of the Realm Festival was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity due to its role in fostering community bonds and promoting gender equality. The festival takes place from the 22nd to the 27th of the fourth lunar month at the Lady of the Realm Temple and the stone pedestal worshiping the Lady on Sam Mountain, Chau Doc city, An Giang Province.
The Lady of the Realm is a revered goddess in the folk religion, believed to protect and bless the people. The ritual of worshiping the Lady fulfills the community’s beliefs and aspirations for health, peace, and prosperity among the Khmer, Cham, Chinese, and Vietnamese communities in Chau Doc, An Giang, as well as the people of the Southwest region.
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