Annually from 23th to 27th of the 4th lunar month, numerous pilgrims from everywhere flock to Sam Mountain to attend an annual ceremony which is known as Ba Chua Xu (Country Lady) festival.Location: Sam MountInstruction: Sam Mount is located in Vinh Te commune, Chau Doc District of An Giang province, which is about 240km from HCMC and 6km from Victoria Chau Doc Hotel in the southwest. Such tourism destination is noted for various national cultural groups of relics such as: Tay An ancient pagoda, Thoai Ngoc Hau tomb and Ba Chua Xu temple at the foot of Sam Mount.Feature: Rumor has it that Ba Chua Xu is so sacred that anyone who offers incense to her shall have all their wishes granted. Villagers worship her in the hope of having better crops and better lives.OriginDated back to early 1800s, Chau Doc was a desert, sparsely populated region and often harassed by Xiem La enemy. One day, on pursuing local people to Sam Mount’s peak, enemy found a precious statue and decided to steal it. On the way carrying down the mountain, the statue was dropped causing one arm broken. The enemy failed to lift it up so left it in the forest. Many villagers followed their dream and tried hard to bring the statue down the mountain building temple to honor, hoping that she would bring them better crops and better lives. But none succeeded to lift the lady up. Not until Thoai Ngoc Hau came to govern the village, the statue was managed to carry to Sam Mount foot by nine fresh virgins. Here the lady temple was built and that date was chosen to celebrate Ba Chua Xu.CelebrationBa Chua Xu festivalOn opening day of the festival, five virgins are selected to go inside temple washing Ba Chua Xu statue by perfumed water and change the statue with fresh robes and hat. Upon revealing Ba Chua Xu’s garments, prayers come near the foot of the statue to chant and ask for lucky charms such as some flower branches or fruits on the altar. These lucky charms are believed to keep the possessor in good health and drive away any evil spirits.Further informationDuring the national festival days, many popular traditional cultural activities take place such as jogging, mountain climbing, rowing, folk games and unicorn dancing. After the festival, pilgrims and visitors who wish to shop for Chau Doc specialties can go to the market at Tinh Bien Border to buy Thai and Cambodian goods, or to climb Cam Mountain to visit the Di Lac statue.After the rituals, there are signing and dancing performances on the river and worshipping rituals in front of the main temple
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