Quat temple festival

Quat Temple Festival pays tribute to famous general Yet Kieu In Gia Loc district, Hai Duong province (formerly) now Hai Phong city, there is an ancient temple worshiping a famous general of the Tran Dynasty, who had the merit of repeatedly punching holes in the boats of the Mongol invaders, creating a famous victory in history. That is Quat temple, worshiping famous general Yet Kieu, First Admiral of the Tran dynasty's navy... Yet Kieu's real name is Pham Huu The (1242-1301), from Ha Bi village, Yet Kieu commune. He was a famous general of the Tran Dynasty, talented and virtuous. He was a lieutenant general, one of two generals holding the moderation flag of Hung Dao Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan. He had a special talent for swimming and diving. He repeatedly punctured the Mongol enemy's boats, creating famous victories in history. He was instrumental in helping the Tran Dynasty destroy the Yuan army three times in the 13th century. He was awarded the title "Tran dynasty right general, first naval commander, marquis" by King Tran. After his death, King Tran ordained Ha Bi villagers to build a temple and honor him as the village's Tutelary God. Yet Kieu also has temples and shrines established in many places, but the largest is still Quat temple. Quat temple area has existed for more than 700 years. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the temple was spaciously embellished and repaired many times during the Nguyen Dynasty with a campus of 2,700 m2. Quat Temple relic area was ranked as a national relic on January 28, 1989. Quat Temple Festival takes place in Spring (from January 10-20) and Fall (from August 14-16 of the lunar calendar). On this occasion, local people and visitors return to the Ha Bi river area to pay their respects to Thanh Hoang Yet Kieu. In addition to traditional rituals, this year's Quat Temple Festival recreated the swimming ritual and the box offering ceremony - activities that often took place in ancient Quat temple festivals. These are the most important festivals of Hai Duong. Quat Temple Festival always organizes water and foot processions as the most important rituals of the ceremony. The festival always has a swimming competition. Swimming competition participants are healthy young people, carefully selected from fishing villages. Before swimming, the boat teams must follow the mandatory ritual of offering incense to pray for a good fish harvest and prosperity for the people. Swimmers all wear scarves and belts, and all wear shirts with square collars and different colors to distinguish the teams from each other. The racing boat is designed as a long and narrow dragon boat with high glide. The race track is the straightest section of the river, with trees and bunting flags to mark the destination. When the swimmer hears a drum sound, it means the competition has started. Quat Temple Festival demonstrates the noble martial spirit of the nation. It has similarities with the fishing ceremony of fishermen on the Central Coast. Currently, the Quat temple festival always attracts many descendants of the Pham family as well as tourists from near and far to visit.