Thousands of Buddhist monks, followers and tourists flocked to the Quan The Am (Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva) festival that opened in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue on August 3, or the 19th day of the sixth lunar month.

The festival includes a ceremony to pray for peace of the nation with balloon and pigeon release and other activities featuring Buddhist culture, including incense offerings.

The annual event was held at the Quan The Am Buddhist Spiritual Tourism Centre in the town of Huong Thuy by the provincial chapter of the Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha’s Executive Committee.

On the occasion, the chapter organised a ceremony to commence the construction of 32 six-metre-high Bodhisattva statues made of natural granite.

Source: VNA