(VOVWORLD) - Tens of thousands of Buddhist monks, nuns, and followers gathered on Thursday at Quan The Am pagoda in Da Nang city for an official ritual of the Quan The Am (Goddess of Mercy) festival at Ngu Hanh Son (Marble Mountain).
Held annually on the 19th day of the second lunar month at Quan The Am Pagoda and other venues at the Ngu Hanh Son national special relic site, this year’s Goddess of Mercy festival runs through Friday.
Venerable Thich Tu Nghiem, head of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Da Nang, said, “The Sangha will call for donation for the construction of 500 statues of Goddess of Mercy to decorate around the Marble Mountains. Authorities at all levels will assist in planning the Marble Mountains landscape with walking paths leading to the statues”
The opening ceremony included two parts, featuring Buddhist rituals to pray for peace and happiness, and a festive section with a range of cultural and sport activities and folk games. This year, the festival is held on a larger scale with 30 religious, cultural-art, and sports activities.
In 2000 the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism listed the festival among the 15 biggest national festivals. In March 2021, it was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage.