Huong Pagoda Festival plays a integral part in the spiritual life of Vietnamese people in general and Vietnamese Buddhists in particular. Altogether with Yen Tu Festival, Huong Pagoda Festival is among the greatest and longest Buddhist festivals in northern Vietnam.
Huong Pagoda is located in My Duc District, 70 kilometers away from Hanoi to the south. This festival lasts for threemonths from the first to the third month in Lunar Calendar; the opening day for the festival is on the 6th day of the first Lunar month. The main festival period is from the 15th - 20th day of the 2nd month of the lunar calendar. Recently, an average of 500,000 - 600,000 pilgrims and tourists flock the temple on the first day alone
According to folklore, once upon a time, there was a beautiful and kind - hearted princess named Dieu Thien—the third daughter of King Dieu Trang, Huong Lam Kingdom. However, at the age of getting married, the prince rejected all proposals from other countries and insisted on leading a religious life. She is incarnated Avalokitasvara and attained enlightenment there. As the princess was born on the 19th day of the second lunar month, that date is now observed by all Vietnamese Buddhists as a saint day.
Ceremonial rituals part of Huong festival consist of Monks activities such as Buddhists offer incense, flowers, candles and fruits. But the more entertaining activities are enjoying boat cruise along Yen Stream for watching scenic view, climbing mountain and exploring holy caves. It is widely believed that climbing up the top of Huong Tich Mountain will bring you luck and achievement in life.
The typical route will follow first by the boat ride makes a quick stop at Den Trinh (Registration Shrine) for visitors to register and announce their visit. The highlights of destination are the Thiên Trù pagoda and the Hương Tích cave. The Thien Tru temple (heavenly kitchen), which is the boat’s next stop, is considered as the Outer Temple built back in the 18th century and is embedded with rock formations that resemble busy chefs working in the kitchen.
To its right, is another popular site, Tien Son grotto, which is famous for its five granite statues and the various formations on its cave walls. The visit continues to Dong Huong Tich (Huong Tich Cave or Inner Temple), in which pilgrims have to climb the hundreds of stoned steps, and during occasional stops, gives visitors a chance to contemplate on the beautiful landscape amidst the daily life of local farmers. As not all visitors can catch up with the long climb, cable car systems were built during the recent years. Most visitors choose to go up by cable car and walk down to save energy yet still have the opportunity to enjoy the scenic views.
The opening ceremony began at the Thien Tru Pagoda. The visitors bring offerings from home, after prayers, each person will take a small portion of the offering which is then carried home for their family as it is believed to bring good luck to those who eat it.
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