1. Overview of Ba Den Mountain
Located in Tay Ninh province, about 100 km from Ho Chi Minh City, Ba Den Mountain is the highest mountain in Southern Vietnam with an altitude of 986 m, known as the “roof of the South”. Standing out amidst the vast plains, the mountain possesses a majestic, wild, yet serene beauty, serving as a harmonious blend of lush nature and the sacred atmosphere characteristic of the southern land.
More than just a natural wonder, Ba Den Mountain is considered the largest pilgrimage center in the South, associated with the legend of Linh Son Thanh Mau and long-standing folk beliefs. Currently, the mountain is part of the Sun World Ba Den Mountain complex, which has been invested in comprehensively and modernly, becoming a spiritual tourism and resort destination attracting millions of visitors each year.
Black Lady Mountain (Nui Ba Den) is considered the roof of the Southern region, located 100 km from Ho Chi Minh City. (Source: Collected)
2. Who is worshipped at Black Lady Mountain? Origin and legend of Linh Son Thanh Mau
2.1. Legend of Linh Son Thanh Mau
According to records from the official website of the Black Lady Pagoda, the figure worshipped at Black Lady Mountain (Nui Ba Den) is Linh Son Thanh Mau, whose real name was Ly Thi Thien Huong, from Trang Bang, Tay Ninh province. She was famous for being kind, virtuous, and filial. During times of turmoil, Thien Huong fell in love with Le Si Triet, a talented general who went to battle to quell the rebellion. While he was away, she was forced into marriage by villains and had to flee to the mountain to preserve her chastity. Unfortunately, she was killed in the deep forest. Her body was lost, but her soul manifested, becoming a deity to protect the common people and defend the land.
From then on, the people built a shrine on the mountain, honoring her as Linh Son Thanh Mau, and affectionately called her Ba Den (Black Lady) by the folk, referring to her tanned skin and gentle demeanor in the legend. Over hundreds of years, the worship of Ba Den has become an inseparable part of the spiritual life of the people in the Southern region. The image of the Lady symbolizes fidelity, filial piety, and faith in goodness, making Black Lady Mountain (Nui Ba Den) a sacred mountain.
2.2. The significance of worshipping Linh Son Thanh Mau
The worship of Linh Son Thanh Mau not only holds spiritual value but also reflects the profound humanistic spirit of the Vietnamese people. She is considered the guardian goddess of Tây Ninh, bringing peace, health, and prosperity to all people. Every New Year, people from all over pilgrimage to Black Lady Mountain (Nui Ba Den) to "pray to the Lady for blessings, pray to Buddha for peace," hoping for protection and good fortune in life.
The worship of Linh Son Thanh Mau reflects the profound humanistic spirit of Vietnamese people. (Source: Collected)
Especially, the Ba Den Festival, held annually from the 4th to the 6th day of the first lunar month, is one of the largest spiritual festivals in the South, attracting millions of visitors from all directions. In a sacred and solemn atmosphere, visitors both pilgrimage and admire the majestic scenery of the mountains, and feel the Vietnamese spirit of "drinking water, remembering the source" (gratitude). Therefore, the worship of Linh Son Thanh Mau at Ba Den Mountain is not only a belief but also a sacred cultural beauty preserved and spread for centuries.
3. Pagodas and Places of Worship on Ba Den Mountain
3.1. Ba Pagoda
Located halfway up Ba Den Mountain, Ba Pagoda is the oldest pagoda and the center of the entire spiritual complex here. The pagoda worships Linh Son Thanh Mau, the goddess revered by the people as "Ba Den", a symbol of loyalty and virtue. The pagoda's space is filled with incense smoke year-round, with the sound of bells echoing amidst the clouds and sky, creating a sacred and serene atmosphere. The pagoda's architecture combines traditional Buddhism with Southern Vietnamese folk beliefs, and it is where important ceremonies such as the Via Ba Festival take place, attracting millions of pilgrims each year.
3.2. Hang Pagoda
Hidden within a natural cave on the mountainside, Hang Pagoda is one of the most unique and mystical pagodas on Ba Den Mountain in Tay Ninh. Legend has it that this is where Linh Son Thanh Mau practiced asceticism before becoming a deity, therefore, the space here always radiates a strong spiritual energy. The pagoda is small, ancient, and moss-covered, with light filtering through the rock crevices creating a mystical scene, making visitors feel as if they have entered a tranquil Buddhist sanctuary.
3.3. Quan Am Pagoda
Located on a high mountain slope, Quan Am Pagoda worships Quan The Am Bodhisattva (Avalokiteśvara), a symbol of compassion and salvation from suffering. The pagoda is notable for its statue of Quan Am looking out over the vast Tay Ninh plain, evoking a sense of peace and serenity. This is a familiar pilgrimage site for visitors seeking peace, health, and good fortune.
Quan Am Pagoda is part of the ancient pagoda system at Ba Den Mountain. (Source: Collected)
3.4. Linh Son Hoa Dong
Linh Son Hoa Dong Pagoda is a place that gathers meditative energy, surrounded by lush green mountains and floating white clouds. The pagoda's architecture is simple and elegant, with an open space allowing visitors to easily blend with nature. This is an ideal resting spot to calm your mind, breathe in the fresh air, and feel the serenity amidst the land and sky of Tay Ninh.
3.5. Linh Son Phuoc Trung
Located midway between the path to Ba Pagoda and Hang Pagoda, Linh Son Phuoc Trung, often called Trung Pagoda, is a resting place for many pilgrimage groups. The pagoda's space is airy, shaded by ancient trees, bringing a sense of peace amidst the mountain climbing journey. This is also where many visitors choose to rest, pay homage, and feel the tranquility before continuing to the summit.
3.6. Long Chau Phuoc Trung
Located at the foot of Ba Den Mountain, Long Chau Phuoc Trung Pagoda is a large-scale spiritual work, marking the beginning of the pilgrimage journey to the sacred peak. The pagoda boasts a majestic architecture, harmonizing the ancient and modern, serving as a place where locals and visitors often come to offer incense before climbing the mountain. This is not only the starting point for the pilgrimage to worship Ba and Buddha but also a space to feel the devout spirit and the connection between people and nature in the land of Tay Ninh.
4. Cultural and Spiritual Values of Ba Den Mountain
Not only a famous tourist destination, Ba Den Mountain is also considered the largest spiritual center in Southern Vietnam, harmoniously converging Buddhism and folk beliefs. The worship of Linh Son Thanh Mau here reflects the tradition of "when drinking water, remember its source," honoring filial piety and the Vietnamese people's faith in goodness. Each festival season, millions of pilgrims flock to Ba Den Mountain not only to offer incense and pray for blessings but also to find peace of mind and contemplate the profound humanistic values hidden within the legend of the sacred mountain.
Nui Ba Den dons a modern look combined with tradition. (Source: Collected)
Nowadays, in the sacred space of Sun World Ba Den Mountain, traditional spiritual values are fully preserved but adorned with a modern appearance and sustainable tourism. The structures are harmoniously planned between natural landscapes and cultural and religious elements, helping visitors experience worshipping Buddha and worshipping Ba, while admiring the majestic beauty of the “roof of the South”. It is this combination of nature, culture, and spirituality that has helped Nui Ba Den Tay Ninh become a vibrant symbol of modern spiritual tourism.
5. Experience of worshipping and visiting Nui Ba Den
5.1. Rituals of worshipping Ba and Buddha
Pilgrimage to Nui Ba Den Tay Ninh is not just a tourist trip but also a journey to find peace in the soul. When visiting Linh Son Thanh Mau and the pagodas on the mountain, visitors should dress politely and modestly, avoiding short or tight clothing to show reverence at the gates of Buddhism.
When offering sacrifices, fresh flowers, fruits, and a sincere heart are sufficient, as the most important thing is sincerity in one's thoughts. According to traditional custom, visitors should worship Ba first, then Buddha, showing gratitude to the goddess who protects the land and turning their hearts towards the compassionate teachings of Buddhism. During the worship process, please maintain order, do not jostle or push, so that the sacred space remains peaceful and solemn.
5.2. Ideal time and notes
The most ideal time to pilgrimage to Nui Ba Den is from December to April, when the weather is dry, cool, and the sky is clear, convenient for travel, worship, and sightseeing. Especially, in the first lunar month, the Ba Den Festival takes place here, which is the largest spiritual festival in the South, attracting millions of pilgrims. However, this period is quite crowded, so you should go early to avoid congestion and fully experience the festival atmosphere.
The ideal time to pilgrimage to Ba Den Mountain is from December to April. (Source: Collected)
When visiting, you should wear good grip sports shoes, bring water, light belongings, and avoid taking photos inside the shrine while always maintaining general hygiene. Every small action contributes to preserving the sacredness and purity of 'Ba Den Mountain - the mountain of faith and compassion'.
Now, you have a complete answer to the question ' Who is worshipped at Ba Den Mountain? ' it is Linh Son Thanh Mau, the goddess symbolizing the compassion, loyalty, and mercy of Vietnamese people. The pilgrimage journey to Ba Den Mountain is not just a trip for worship, but also an opportunity to find peace and cultivate good intentions. Amidst the misty skies of Tay Ninh, visitors clearly feel the sacredness and tranquility of the 'roof of the South'.
