ThaiBinh (VNA) – Thousands of Buddhist monks, nuns and followers andvisitors flocked to the Keo Pagoda festival that opened in Vu Thu district inthe Red River Delta province of Thai Binh on February 19 – the fourth day ofthe lunar New Year.
Thenearly 400-year-old pagoda is dedicated to Zen Master Duong Khong Lo(1016-1094) – the founder of the Keo Pagoda.
Thefestival features religious rituals and communal activities such as Buddhistofferings, palanquin parades, love duet singing on boats, and folk games.
TheKeo pagoda was founded in 1061. After it was swept away by a flood in 1611, thepagoda was rebuilt in 1632 and most of its architectural features, including 17structures with 128 rooms, remain until today. In 2012, it was recognised as anational special relic site.
Inaddition to the autumn festival, another spring festival takes place hereannually on the 4th day of the first lunar month.
Thepagoda attracts more than 2,500 visitors to Thai Binh every year.-VNA