The full moon of the first lunar month, also known as Tet Thuong Nguyen or Tet Nguyen Tieu, marks a peak time for early-year pilgrimages. During this period, people from across the region flock to worship Linh Son Thanh Mau, praying for peace and prosperity, and experiencing the unique cloud season atop the 986 m high mountain.
For over three centuries, the worship of Linh Son Thanh Mau has become a distinct spiritual tradition in the Southern region. Annually, after the Lunar New Year, tens of thousands of people and Buddhists embark on a pilgrimage to the mountain to offer prayers for peace, career success, and fortune.
On the mountain's peak, prominent spiritual structures include the 72 m high Tay Bo Da Son Buddha statue and the 36 m high Maitreya Bodhisattva statue. This year, the 7,2m high Kanakamuni Buddha statue, crafted from red copper and covered with 24k gold leaf, has attracted many visitors. Many believe that worshipping the golden Buddha statue early in the morning brings good luck and prosperity for the new year.
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The Kanakamuni Buddha statue seated in the lotus position amidst a golden lotus pond. Photo: Sun Group |
The Kanakamuni Buddha statue seated in the lotus position amidst a golden lotus pond. Photo: Sun Group
Alongside the pilgrimage, the custom of "sleeping on the mountain" on the night of the full moon of the first lunar month also draws many, hoping to receive positive energy for the new year.
Mai Loan, a visitor from TP HCM, shared that this is her first year staying overnight on the mountain to worship the golden Buddha and admire the sea of clouds at dawn. "The feeling of standing amidst the clouds and sunrise makes me feel more confident for a new year", Loan said.
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Visitors "sleeping on the mountain" at the foot of Ba Mountain. Photo: Sun Group |
Visitors "sleeping on the mountain" at the foot of Ba Mountain. Photo: Sun Group
Beyond pilgrimages, many visitors come to Tay Ninh for the Ba Den Mountain Spring Festival, which runs throughout the first lunar month. The festival features numerous cultural and artistic programs, recreating a traditional folk festival atmosphere. Kicking off on the 4th day of Tet Lunar New Year and lasting until the end of the first lunar month, the festival continuously showcases Chhay-dam drum dances, Ngam music, and traditional Khmer dances. This series of activities takes place within the 300-year-old Ba Pagoda complex and the modern architectural ensemble on the mountain peak.
This year, the tourist area also introduced a colorful tulip garden, attracting many young visitors for sightseeing and photography. "The spring festival, with its range of activities from cultural and spiritual events to experiential tourism, is suitable for every family member", said Tran Thi Hanh from TP HCM.
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Visitors check in at the tulip garden. Photo: Sun Group |
Visitors check in at the tulip garden. Photo: Sun Group
Since before the Lunar New Year, the cable car station area, the square, and the roads leading to Ba Pagoda have been consistently crowded. From the 1st to the 6th day of Tet, the operating unit recorded 650,000 cable car rides, with a record 157,000 rides to the mountain on the 4th day alone.
The operating unit has increased staffing and extended cable car operating hours to meet demand. The first lunar month is also when Ba Den Mountain enters its most beautiful cloud season, with ethereal seas of clouds blanketing the mountain slopes, creating a rare spectacle.
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The 72 m high bronze Buddha statue with an ambrosia vase in hand, standing amidst the mist at Sun World Ba Den Mountain. Photo: Sun Group |
The 72 m high bronze Buddha statue with an ambrosia vase in hand, standing amidst the mist at Sun World Ba Den Mountain. Photo: Sun Group
Ba Den is an extinct volcano located mostly in Binh Minh ward, Tay Ninh province. At an elevation of 986 m, it is the highest mountain in the Southern region, known as "De Nhat Thien Son" (First Mountain of the South). According to 19th-century historical records, Ba Den Mountain was considered a sacred mountain guarding Gia Dinh (formerly Saigon), where "golden bells appeared in the lake, and dragon boats sailed on moonlit nights".
Thai Anh
