From the city to the shore, along the way, the common people lined the streets to see us off, hands clasping incense as an offering, some even following along with us.
This is called "carrying the Bodhisattva," and in some places, it's also known as "parading the deity."
The most popular figure was naturally General Yang Si.
Although there had been an incident during the Dragon Boat Race, the court's soothing measures prevented too much panic, and temple fairs were still being held in various places along the river.
After a whole day of festivities, the ritual came to an end.
According to the customs of Ezhou, the celebration doesn't officially conclude until the "last of the Dragon Boat Festival," on the twenty-fifth of May, but once the Dragon Boat Race ended and the Bodhisattva was carried, the streets were no longer as lively.
Even the troupes and performance artists from across the pugilistic world had begun to leave.
