According to legend, in ancient times, a hunter found a strange snow stone on Yulong Snow Mountain and carried it home. When he arrived at the ruins of the present temple, the snow stone was very heavy, and he had a rest. If you want to recite it again, snow and stones can't be moved. People think that this is the incarnation of God, and a temple is built on the spot to offer sacrifices. Since then, people have often seen a god wearing white armor, wearing a white helmet, holding a white spear and riding a white horse, often showing his soul to protect the land and people here.
Naxi people believe that Sanduo is the largest and most authoritative god of the nation and belongs to sheep. Every year, the eighth day of February and August is sheep day, and the whole sheep should be ceremoniously sacrificed. During the temple fair, it was the time when camellia first bloomed. There will be a sea of people, fireworks everywhere, flowers everywhere, people having picnics and believers burning incense and kowtowing. The solemnity and atmosphere of this temple fair are among the best in all temple fairs and festivals in Lijiang.
Custom characteristics
Legend has it that because Sanduo is a sheep, people worship Sanduo every year in February and August of the lunar calendar, in which February is the most grand and the incense is the highest, ranking first among all local temples. At the same time, there are activities such as dinner and singing, which are very lively. The poem says, "Every spring and February, every household wishes more than three.".
It has been decided by the Standing Committee of the Eighth People's Congress of Lijiang County on August 29th 1986 that the eighth day of the second lunar month is the legal traditional festival of Naxi people. The annual Sanduo Festival is the birthday of Sanduo, the protector of Naxi people, and also the birthday of all Naxi people.