Thousands of people, visitors and Buddhist monks and nuns attended theopening ceremony of Quan The Am (Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva) Festival onJuly 19 morning.

At the festival held in Bang Lang Village, Thuy Bang Commune, HuongThuy District, the central province of Thua Thien-Hue Province, peopleburnt incense and release birds in hopes for peace and happiness.

The event includes various activities such as music shows, camping,prayers, as well as the releasing flower garlands and coloured lanterns.

Some photos of the festival:

The image of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva

Superior Buddhist Monk Thich Duc Phuong (in the middle), Head of the festival’s organising board, with other devotees

Praying

Offering flowers

Offering incense

A tree for the Buddha

Flowers for Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva

Elderly join in the ceremonies

Children surround the actress playing the role of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva

An old woman is led to the festival by children

The statue of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva