Road Trip to Donggang 2
When going to the center of the town, most people come up with Donglong
Temple, which is a significant site and the center of the local people’s
spirit. It is connected with the local villagers’ routine which has an
important impact on normal life. In addition, it is a magnificent and
historical spot because it has more than three-hundred-year history and is
renovated now to make it more brilliant. What’s more, it is noted for its
burning of the Wang Ye boat. This ceremony takes place every three years as
well as attracts thousands of people to make pilgrimage, even some reporters
and TV hosts to record the whole process of burning the Wang Ye boat. Before
the ceremony of burning the Wang Ye boat, it needs to be shown around through
every main street in Donggang to sure that evils and plagues have been taken.
This is a complicated and grand ritual of the ceremony. In spite of its tough
hardship and challenging procedure, there are still a lot of local people, visitors
and even foreigners following the Wang Ye boat to take part in the majestic
parade with their full sincerity. The next stage of this ceremony is to burn
the Wang Ye boat. Although I think it will give birth to serious air pollution
and contribute to damage to the environment, it plays an essential role in
traditional part. Burning the Wang Ye boat is the last step of the whole
ceremony, it stands for that Wang Ye has been sailed off to the heaven, and
taking away all the plagues and disease. It will continue to protect the town
and villagers in the following days. I dare to bet participating this splendid
ceremony not only makes you understand this special tradition but also brings
you an impressive experience.
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