People in Ho Chi Minh City line up to ring the temple bell at the beginning of the year

(Dan Tri) - After the New Year's Eve, thousands of people flocked to Vinh Nghiem Pagoda (HCMC) to celebrate, lining up to wait their turn to ring the bell to pray for peace and luck at the beginning of the year.

After the New Year's Eve, around 1am on the first day of the Lunar New Year, from Nam Ky Khoi Nghia street, people lined up to go to Vinh Nghiem pagoda (District 3) to offer incense to Buddha on the first day of the year.

Vinh Nghiem Pagoda was built in 1964 and is one of the famous spiritual tourist destinations in Ho Chi Minh City, attracting people on holidays, Tet, and full moon days.

At 1am on the first day of Tet, thousands of people came to the temple bringing incense, flowers, and offerings to celebrate at the temple.

The entire temple grounds of over 6,000 square meters were packed with people. Although it was still not dawn, the number of people pouring in was increasing.

It was still very early, but hundreds of people were already lining up in the courtyard in front of the main hall, waiting for their turn to enter the bell tower.

The line of people stretched from the beginning of the campus to the bell tower. Many people were quite tired and sleepy but still patiently waited for their turn to ring the bell.

Each person can ring the bell 1 or 3 times, representing the harmony between heaven and earth, driving away negative energy, and welcoming a warm spring. In addition, this is also considered a prayer for peace for everyone in the new year.

Nhu Y (District 4) wears a traditional ao dai and turban to go to the pagoda at the beginning of the year with the hope that the coming year will bring good health and luck to herself and her family.

Many people, in addition to worshiping, also take the opportunity to touch the feet of the Buddha statue for luck and "ask for blessings" at the beginning of the year.

After the ceremony and incense offering, many people also took the opportunity to take souvenir photos at the temple with many beautifully decorated miniatures.

The family of Ms. Ngo Thi Thu Loc (District 10) went to the pagoda together early to release animals, pray for luck and peace for family members. "Every year, after New Year's Eve, the whole family will go to the pagoda, not just one but many pagodas, depending on the conditions. The whole family also often goes to the pagoda not only during Tet, but also on other holidays to visit Buddha," said Ms. Loc.

It was just past 1am, but inside the main hall of Vinh Nghiem pagoda there were many people coming in and out to worship.

After ringing the bell to pray for peace at the bell tower, many children were allowed by their parents to release birds at the pagoda. In the morning, the number of people flocking to Vinh Nghiem pagoda to perform the ceremony and offer incense increased.

Dantri.com.vn

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