Benzhu Worship in Jianchuan County 剑川县本主节

in 大理白族自治州剑川县

In Jianchuan County, Benzhu worship is closely connected with Azhali Buddhism.

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.

Jianchuan is much more traditionally Bai than Dali, as Jianchuan's population is even today overwhelmingly Bai. In Jianchuan, Azhali Buddhism, an ancient form of Buddhism, has survived and Benzhu rituals are usually carried out by Azhali ritualists, giving Benzhu festivals a flavour very different to those in the Erhai region.
NameLocationDate
Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) 本主节 剑川县下沐邑 Tue, 7. January
Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) 本主节 剑川县滇南镇北登村 Wed, 8. January
Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) 本主节 剑川县滇新华村 Mon, 10. February
Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) 本主节 剑川县滇南镇青岩头 Wed, 12. February
Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) 本主节 剑川县滇南镇官登村 Sat, 15. February
Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) 本主节 剑川县滇南镇桃园村 Thu, 20. February
Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) 本主节 剑川县朱卷场 Thu, 20. February
Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) 本主节 剑川县滇南镇合江村 Sun, 23. February
Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) 本主节 剑川县官登本主庙 Tue, 25. February
Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) 本主节 剑川县三家村 Fri, 7. March
Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) 本主节 剑川县滇南镇金河村 Fri, 7. March
Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) 本主节 剑川县滇南镇下河村 Wed, 2. April
Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) 本主节 剑川县柳营村 Sat, 5. April
Baitan Temple Fair 白坛神庙庙会 剑川县滇南镇白坛神庙 Tue, 15. April until Wed, 16. April
Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) 本主节 剑川县滇南镇前江边 Wed, 16. April
Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) 本主节 剑川县下沐邑 Mon, 21. April
Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) 本主节 剑川县青瓦场 Tue, 22. April
Circling Jianhu 绕海会 剑川剑湖 催君寺 Wed, 9. July
Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) 本主节 剑川县太平村 Wed, 16. July
Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) 本主节 剑川县滇南镇下河村 Sun, 20. July
Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) 本主节 剑川县桃树 Tue, 22. July
Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) 本主节 剑川县滇南镇南登村 Fri, 5. September
Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) 本主节 剑川县下沐邑 Sun, 14. September
Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) 本主节 剑川县永榜 Sun, 14. September
Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) 本主节 剑川县滇南镇官登村 Fri, 19. September
Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) 本主节 剑川县滇南镇合江村 Sat, 4. October
Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) 本主节 剑川县滇南镇天马村 Mon, 6. October
Baitan Temple Fair 白坛神庙庙会 剑川县滇南镇白坛神庙 Thu, 9. October until Fri, 10. October
Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) 本主节 剑川县滇南镇桃园村 Tue, 14. October
Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) 本主节 剑川县滇南镇青岩头 Tue, 2. December
Eighteen Altar Worship 剑川县十八坛神 大理白族自治州剑川县
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Benzhu Worship

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