Keo Pagoda Festival 2015 opens in Thai Binh

Keo Pagoda Festival 2015. Photo: Internet.

(Cinet)- The 2015 Keo Pagoda Festival officially opened in Duy Nhat commune, Vu Thu district, Thai Binh province on October 22.
 
The festival aims to commemorate Buddhist monk Duong Khong Lo (1016-1094) and those who took part in the pagoda construction, from the 17th century.
In addition to the traditional religious rituals that commemorate the Buddhist monk, the festival also hosts a variety of cultural activities that reflect the lifestyle of the Red River Delta’s agricultural communities.
Many folk games, such as racing shells, trumpets and drums, a performance of a traditional dance called "frog seize" and preparing phoenix-winged betel quid, are being organising at the festival.
The festival is considered an opportunity to showcase the landscapes and people in Thai Binh, and help to promote cultural and socio-economic development.
Just over 130 km from the capital Hanoi, the Keo Pagoda, which was built in 1632, is an ancient building with 128 rooms - more than any other pagoda in Vietnam.
There are two passages which separate the pagoda from the temple. They are designed with curved roofs that join together at the 11.04m-high iron and wood bell tower.
The tower has three storeys, each of which possesses its own tiled roof and bronze bell.
The 58,000 m2 pagoda is home to a wealth of ancient artifacts, which range from intricately engraved wooden dragons to a collection of over 100 statues.
 

Keo Pagoda Festival 2015. Photo: thaibinhtourism

The Keo Pagoda Festival is held here twice a year, in the 1st and the 9th lunar months. On the 4th day of the 1st lunar month, a festival is held, in which there are three competitions: catching ducks, and cooking rice. But the bigger festival that attracts many people from all parts of the country is held in the 9th lunar month.
Festival of the 9th lunar month:
The festival is officially held for three days, from the 13th to the 15th. Monk Khong Lo died on the 3rd day of the 6th lunar month, the festival of Keo pagoda is held on the 13th day of the 9th lunar month, 100 days after his death. His birthday is on the 14th day of the 9th lunar month. The festival lasts through the 15th because it lands in the middle of the month, usually marked by Buddhists. That is why the festival, apart from its competitions, also has clear historical characteristics. In this festival the main part of Khong Lo’s life is reflected as a historical event. There are activities full of religious and cultural significance. Hence the festival attracts people of all ages.
The event runs until October 27.