Benzhu Worship 本主节

Tuesday, 14. January 2025 in 喜洲镇 朝阳村 and 荣华村

Benzhu worship at the foot of Changshan.

Benzhu are local protector deities in the Dali area, their worship is a key element of Bai identity. In the Dali area, almost every Bai village has a Benzhu Temple, the home of a local protector spirit. These protector spirits are mostly historic figures, such as local heros, kings, generals or others who have through good deeds won the adulation of the local population. Each Benzhu usually has his own festival day, with activities varying greatly from place to place.

See related festivals.

Picture:
This Benzhu Fair is held at the temple in Chaoyang village, a few km north of Wanqiao on the Cangshan side of the plain. Villagers from Chaoyang and Ronghua village (which is too small to have its own temple) join for a day of worship and music.
Festival held according to lunar calendar on 农历12月15.