Taking place from October 30 to November 4 (ie September 10-15, At Ty year) with many unique activities, bearing the cultural imprint of the Red River Delta region. Accordingly, the ceremony is performed solemnly, following the traditional rituals that have been preserved for many generations. Visitors to Keo Pagoda festival have the opportunity to admire and learn about unique rituals such as: opening ceremony, procession of the Saint, puppetry to pay homage to the Saint, frog dance, rowing to pay homage to the Saint, lantern festival, and the ritual activities of the worshiping groups, people and Buddhist followers.
The highlight of the opening ceremony of this year's Keo Pagoda Festival is a special art program with the theme "Divine Light", inspired by the dharma name of Zen Master Duong Khong Lo - National Master of the Ly Dynasty.
The opening art program includes 3 chapters: Divine Light, echoing for thousands of years, Hung Yen heritage flow. The performances were elaborately and uniquely staged, recreating and spreading the morality and wisdom of Zen master Duong Khong Lo, the founder of Keo Pagoda, transmitting compassion and faith in goodness to all people along with the heritage value, Keo Pagoda, the unique culture of this land, connecting the past with the present, affirming the eternal vitality of Hung Yen culture that continues to shine in the new era.
The special features of the festival are the humanistic rituals, games and performances imbued with folk culture, close to the daily life of the residents of the Red River Delta, which are still maintained, preserved and practiced.
In addition to the ceremony and art program, this year's festival also has many new features when interwoven with cultural and artistic activities, exciting folk games. Visitors can experience the traditional festival space with singing cruises, exchanges between rowing clubs, phoenix-wing betel-leaf-wrapping competitions, etc., creating a joyful atmosphere and connecting the community.
Through the festival, the province's tourism development potential is promoted in association with attracting investment for socio -economic development; at the same time, creating a joyful and exciting atmosphere among the people, encouraging and motivating all classes of people to strive to compete, work, train, and produce to successfully implement the goals set out in the Resolution of the 1st Congress of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee, term 2025 - 2030.
Keo Pagoda, whose Chinese name is Than Quang Tu, in Vu Tien commune is one of the six special national relics of Hung Yen province. According to the recorded legend: In 1061, during the reign of King Ly Thanh Tong, Zen Master Duong Khong Lo built Nghiem Quang Pagoda as a place to hide and preach the Dharma, protect the country and bring peace to the people.
The Zen master had the merit of curing King Ly Thanh Tong's illness, so the king graciously appointed him as the National Master of the Ly Dynasty. In the year of Giap Tuat (1094), during the reign of King Ly Nhan Tong, the Holy Ancestor Duong Khong Lo passed away at the age of 79. In 1167, King Ly Anh Tong issued an edict to change the name of Nghiem Quang Pagoda to Than Quang Pagoda to commemorate and show gratitude for the Zen master's merit.
In 1611, a great flood swept away and destroyed the pagoda. After 19 years of preparation and 28 months of construction, the Keo Pagoda, Than Quang Tu with its internal and external architectural style, Buddha in front and Saint in back, was completed in November 1632. Currently, the pagoda has 17 structures with 128 rooms. In 2017, the traditional festival of Keo Pagoda was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. In 2021, the altar of Keo Pagoda was recognized as a national treasure.
After nearly 400 years of existence, through many restorations and embellishments, Keo Pagoda still retains its unique architectural identity from the Le Trung Hung period (17th century). Currently, Keo Pagoda has 17 structures with 128 compartments, main architectural structures such as: Tam Quan, Buddha Temple, Holy Temple, bell tower, corridor, monk dormitory area...
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/ton-vinh-gia-tri-di-san-hung-yen-178055.html
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