Keo Pagoda Autumn Festival kicks off
Update: Oct 23, 2015
The 2015 Keo Pagoda Autumn Festival opened in Duy Nhat commune, Vu Thu district, Thai Binh province on October 22, on the tenth day of the ninth lunar month.

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 runs until October 27, and 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.

The Keo Pagoda Festival is held annually in the first lunar month and the ninth lunar month.

Nhandan