Chinese people consider Laba congee auspicious in Laba Festival. On January 2, the eighth day of the twelfth month (the La Month) of the Chinese calendar, Luohan Temple, located in Yuzhong District of Chongqing, provided charge-free Laba congee to citizens. Before dawn, people had already been waiting in line for the blessed congee.

Laba congee

A bowl of Laba congee: Good luck all year round

In the Chinese lunar calendar, the twelfth month marks the end of a year. In the ancient times, the winter date when people worshiped their ancestors was called dala, and the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month was gradually determined as the day of la when the public prayed for harvest and good luck. Chinese people, wherever they are, would like to enjoy Laba congee on this day.

People line up for Laba congee.

At 6:00 in the morning and before dawn, people had already gathered around Luohan Temple. There were grey-haired couples and friends in twos and threes; some were regular visitors while some were new there.

This year, the Laba congee providing started at 7:30, and Ms. Zhang and her husband had already reached there at 6:30. “We come to Luohan Temple for the blessed Laba congee every year.”

A group of people: Feeling the heart-warming moment of Laba Festival

Seemingly small as a bowl of Laba congee is, there’s something profound behind. Generally speaking, Laba congee consists of various food materials, such as rice, millet, coix seed, Chinese dates, lotus seeds, peanuts, longan, and different kinds of beans.

They are eating Laba congee.

On the site, thanks to the volunteers, the crowds of people were waiting in line. Chen Pan, one of the volunteers, said, “We feel happy to serve our citizens.”

In addition to Laba congee, Luohan Temple provided people with broad beans, pickles, dried tofu as the delectable delicacies. Some vegetables had been prepared before the dawn of that day to ensure their freshness while some, such as broad beans, were made several days before.

At nearly 8:00, more and more people joined the line. Although the winter morning was freezing, bowls of steaming-hot Laba congee and the smiling faces still made the moment heart-warming.

Source: CQNEWS