Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh beats the drum to open the festival (Source: laodong.vn) HaNam (VNA) - The Tam Chuc Pagoda festivalkicked off in Kim Bang district in the northern province of Ha Nam on February16, which falls on the 12th day of the first lunar month.
Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh and Head ofthe Party Central Committee's Organisation Commission Pham Minh Chinh attended the opening ceremony.
Deputy PM Binh and Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Vietnam BuddhistSangha’s Executive Council, jointly beat the drum to open the festival,and joined the incense offering to pray for peace for the nation and happiness forthe people.
The festival restores the story 1000years ago on a pilgrimage route connecting the heritage sites of Golden Temple - Trang An - Hoa Lu Ancient Capital- Bai Dinh Pagoda - Van Long Pagoda (Ninh Binh) - Dong Tam Pagoda (Hoa Binh) -Tam Chuc Pagoda (Ha Nam) - Huong Son Pagoda - and Thang Long Citadel (Hanoi).
The Tam Chuc Pagoda sits on a site of nearly 5,000ha, surrounding by lakes,mountains, forests and valleys. Excavated objects reveal that the pagodais around 1,000 years old.
The pagoda, which has beenentirely damaged with time, is being rebuilt with the first phase expected tobe completed in May 2019 when the pagoda hosts the UN Day of Vesak (Buddha'sBirthday, Enlightenment and Passing Away).
The new pagoda has beenbuilt using giant blocks from Kim Lan ceramic village in Hanoi. As many as12,000 murals depicting legends of Buddha craved into volcano rock byIndonesian artisans will decorate the area.
A garden of 99 stonepillars, each 13.5m high and 200 tonnes in weight, carved with Buddhistteachings, will also be installed at the site.
The Tam Chuc complex was recognised by the Prime Minister asa national tourism site in 2013.
The festival is part ofactivities to celebrate the UN Day of Vesak which will be held at the Tam ChucPagoda from May 12-14.-VNA
VNA
