Tu Quang Pagoda Festival

On January 10-11 every year, people in Can Luong village, An Dan commune, Tuy An district organize the Tu Quang Pagoda festival (White Stone Pagoda). Tu Quang was formerly the Patriarchal Temple, founded by Zen master Patriarch Phap Chuyen of the 36th generation Lam Te lineage in the year Dinh Ty (1797), the Canh Thinh era of Lord Nguyen. This place is associated with the struggle against the French colonialists of Tran Cao Van and Vo Tru and was the gathering point for insurgents to respond to Le Thanh Phuong's uprising, and was a solid fortress to fight against the French colonialists who landed from Tien Chau estuary (An Ninh Tay commune). By 1887, Le Thanh Phuong's uprising ended, but White Stone Pagoda continued to be chosen by patriotic scholars, Buddhist monks and nuns as a gathering place to discuss fighting against the French colonialists. In addition, Tu Quang Pagoda also has a garden tomb tower of the ancestors, considered one of the unique architectural works of art in the Central coastal provinces and famous for the gift to the king, the White Stone mango. In 1997, White Stone Pagoda was recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Information as a national historical relic. Tu Quang Pagoda Festival is an opportunity for monks, nuns, Buddhists and people from near and far to remember the merits of the monks who made public contributions and the national heroes who participated in the struggle to defend the country; Pray for peace in the country and people, good rain and wind all year round... This is also an opportunity to help monks, nuns, Buddhists and people celebrate, learn and enjoy the unique cultural beauty at Tu Quang Pagoda in the first days of the new year. The festival includes folk games such as: Tug of war for men and women combined, pushing sticks for men and women, riding horses to capture the flag... The activities are held in the temple grounds, attracting a large number of youth union members and people inside and outside the locality to watch and cheer.