At Hanoi pagoda, throngs of Buddhists, residents queue to venerate Buddha relic from India

This morning marked the first official day that the public and followers were welcomed to venerate the relic at Quan Su Pagoda in Hanoi.

The relic is set to remain at the pagoda until Friday.

Though the gates only opened at 7:00 am, large crowds had already gathered two hours prior, calmly queuing under the guidance of event organizers in hopes of being among the first to witness the revered relic.

A section of Quan Su Street in front of the pagoda was cordoned off to accommodate the influx.

Many visitors traveled to the pagoda by bus or ride-hailing services, helping ease congestion around the area.

The organizers prepared thoroughly, with security personnel and volunteers stationed throughout to guide and assist attendees.

Nearby cafés on Ly Thuong Kiet Street near the pagoda also opened their restrooms to the public free of charge.

The crowd included people of all ages and backgrounds, with a noticeable presence of elderly women.

Many seniors in wheelchairs were accompanied by family members, who patiently wheeled them through the long lines.

Due to the high turnout, some people required timely medical assistance.

A sudden change in weather brought cool temperatures, making the conditions more bearable for the crowd, as well as for volunteers and staff.

Photography and filming were prohibited inside the hall where the relic was enshrined.

The veneration at Quan Su Pagoda followed a grand procession of the Buddha relic on Tuesday afternoon, when tens of thousands gathered along Ly Thuong Kiet Street and around Hoan Kiem Lake to welcome the relic from Ba Den Mountain in southern Tay Ninh Province to the capital.

The relic was ceremoniously paraded around Hoan Kiem Lake to the awe of the waiting crowds.

The relic will continue to be transferred to Tam Chuc Pagoda, where the public will be able to pay their respects from Saturday until Tuesday next week, before the sacred item is returned to India.