Thousands of Buddhists and non-Buddhists across from Da Nang and elsewhere in the country attended main rituals at the annual Quan The Am (Avalokitesvara) Festival held at the namesake pagoda inside the Marble Mountains tourist area on Sunday.

Huge crowds of visitors gathering at the festival, one of the most eagerly anticipated spiritual cultural events

This year’s event saw the participation of Buddhists from Viet Nam, South Korea, Thailand, and Japan.

On the spotlight amongst a number of solemn Buddhist rituals were the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Statue procession, and ceremonies to pray for peace and safety throughout the year.

Some of the city leaders and representatives from local agencies attending the festival

Monks and nuns from South Korea, Thailand, and Japan attending a Buddhist ritual

A Thai Buddhist delegation in traditional costumes at the festival

South Korean Buddhists in traditional Hanbok costumes praying at the event

Releasing balloons and pigeons for peace and safety throughout the year

Re-creating the image of Avalokitesvara, the bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas

The bodhisattva always assists sentient beings in difficult times.

Buddhist rituals in the framework of the festival took place in a solemn ambiance

Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva is one of the most popular and important Bodhisattvas worshiped by Buddhists around the world. She is commonly known as the Goddess of Mercy who, in the spirit of great compassion, vows to reach out for the salvation of all sentient beings. As the regarded of world’s sufferings, all sentient beings who call upon her name will be heard and be liberated from suffering. She had reached a state of utmost freedom without hindrance in respect of wisdom and actions.

The festival showcases great significance as it inspires human beings to promote sentimental attachments with one another, and together do good things in life.

The festival has become a typical cultural - tourism and religious event in the city.

The Chairwoman of the Ngu Hanh Son District People’s Committee and Head of the Festival’s organising board, Mrs Nguyen Thi Anh Thi, remarked, the festival not only satisfies the religious beliefs of Buddhist followers, but it has also become a special tourism product of the Marble Mountains tourist area. In addition, this fascinating event has helped to preserve and promote the traditional Vietnamese cultural identity.