Grand opening ceremony of Gam Temple and Pagoda festival.

Gam Temple was built during the Tran Dynasty to worship deities who contributed to protecting the nation and its people, such as Cao Son, Cao Cac, Sat Hai Dai Vuong Hoang Ta Thon, Uy Minh Vuong Ly Nhat Quang, and the Four Holy Mothers... Gam Pagoda is a religious architectural work belonging to the Truc Lam Zen sect, built by the people to worship Buddha Shakyamuni and various Bodhisattvas.

The ancient beauty of Gam Temple and Pagoda. Photo: Huy Thu

The Gam Temple and Pagoda, located within the same complex, is an ancient and sacred historical site with beautiful and unique architecture, featuring exquisite carvings that reflect the skill, sophistication, aspirations, and reverence of the ancients for the merits of the gods, Buddha, and their ancestors. Many ancient ritual objects and artifacts are preserved here, especially a remarkable collection of statues.

Procession of the deity from Gam Temple to Truc Lam Yen Thanh Zen Monastery. Photo: Huy Thu.

The Gám temple and pagoda complex, located within the Gám spiritual and ecological tourism area, was recognized as a Provincial-level Historical and Cultural Monument by the Provincial People's Committee in 2007 and was honored to receive UNESCO Patronage from the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations in 2018.

Leaders of Yen Thanh district beat drums to officially open the festival. Photo: Huy Thu.

Over the years, thanks to the attention of all levels of government and the generosity of visitors from near and far, the Gam temple and pagoda complex has been restored and renovated, meeting the cultural, spiritual, and religious needs of the people and facilitating the organization of festivals.

The captivating drum performance by Xuan Thanh commune at the festival opening ceremony. Photo: Huy Thu.

This year's Gam Temple and Pagoda Festival takes place over four days, from March 21st to March 24th (corresponding to the 12th to 15th days of the second lunar month), with many special activities: the opening ceremony, the announcement ceremony, the procession of the deities, the grand sacrifice ceremony, the thanksgiving ceremony, the prayer for peace ceremony, the opening ceremony, folk games (men's and women's stick pushing, blindfolded pot breaking, blindfolded duck catching...), volleyball competition, traditional martial arts, folk art performances, traditional opera performances, drumming competition, lectures, and lantern lighting...

Among the highlights of the festival, the procession of the deity from Gam Temple to Truc Lam Yen Thanh Zen Monastery, with the participation of thousands of visitors, is a significant event.

Delegates and citizens attend the incense offering ceremony. Photo: Huy Thu

During the festival days, the organizing committee mobilized hundreds of volunteers to serve, welcome, and guide visitors; and prepared tens of thousands of vegetarian meals and drinks for visitors from afar who came to participate in the festival.

Men's volleyball match at the festival. Photo: Huy Thu

The Gam Temple and Pagoda Festival is held annually to preserve, conserve, and promote the value of the nation's heritage. It is an occasion to express the people's respect and gratitude for the merits of the gods, Buddha, and ancestors, while also promoting local tourism.

On this occasion, many beautiful and attractive miniature landscapes are decorated within the grounds of Gam Temple and Pagoda. Photo: Huy Thu

Visiting the Gam Temple and Pagoda festival, tourists not only immerse themselves in the sacred and unique festival atmosphere, but also discover, experience, and admire the distinctive cultural and culinary features of the picturesque Gam River and surrounding countryside.

Source: https://baonghean.vn/tung-bung-khai-hoi-den-chua-gam-post286684.html