Huong Pagoda (Perfume Pagoda)
Description
Vietnam’s Huong Pagoda is a Buddhist temple complex carved into the limestone of the Huong Tich Mountains. This temple complex is one of the most popular tourist destinations, as well as for Buddhist pilgrims. It is the venue of a religious festival that attracts significant numbers of Vietnamese pilgrims. The Huong Temple’s core is located in Huong Sn Commune, My Duc District, former Ha Tay Province (now Hanoi). In Huong Tch Cave, the Perfume Temple, also known as Chua Trong (Inner Temple), is the focal point of this complex.
According to mythology, a Buddhist monk who meditated nearby discovered the location more than 2,000 years ago. It is thought that the first temple was constructed on this site in the 15th century. Streams, tropical flora, and temples populate the foothills of the mountains, which constitute a region of tremendous natural and spiritual splendor.
There are numerous pagodas to visit, each with a unique shrine; most are Buddhist, but a few are animist. The perfume pagoda attracts pilgrims and tourists in search of happiness from the cave’s stalagmites and stalactites, which are named according to the specific blessing they can confer.
Temples
Chua Huong’s numerous temples are dispersed amid the limestone hills and tropical trees surrounding Huong Mountain.
Den Trinh
Den Trinh is sometimes referred to as Den Quan Lon or the Shrine of High-ranking Mandarins. It was constructed for one of Hung King’s generals. On either side of the temple’s entrance gate is a statue of a kneeling elephant, and inside the shrine is a vast ceremonial hall.
Thien Tru Temple
Thien Tru (Heaven Kitchen) Temple, also known as Chua Ngoai, is located beyond Den Trinh (Outer Temple). Here one will locate the Vien Cong Bao Stupa, a brick edifice containing the tomb of Master Tran Dao Vien Quang, who oversaw the reconstruction of the temple. The Thien Thuy stupa, a natural formation formed by the erosion of a rocky slope, is also located nearby. In the 1980s, the bell tower and Hall of the Triple Gem were renovated at Thien Tru. There is a big statue of Quan Am Nam Hai inside the Temple.
Giai Oan Temple
Giai Oan Temple, also known as ‘Clearing Unjust Charges’ Pagoda, is located on the path from Thien Tru to Hng Tch cave. Here you’ll find Thien Nhien Thanh Tru (Natural Blue Pond), also known as Long Tuyen Well, and the Giai Oan stream with its nine origins.
Huong Tich Cave
Huong Tich Cave, the core of the Chua Huong complex, contains Chua Trong (Inner Temple). Chu Nho characters are carved into a wall at the entrance of the cave, creating the appearance of an open dragon’s mouth. The letters (Nam thien De nhat Dong) translate to “the most prominent cave beneath the Southern Heavens,” and the carving is dated to 1770. Some ascribe these statements to the leader of the time, Tnh Do Vuong Lord Trinh Sam. Within the cave are numerous statues. Both a big statue of Buddha and one of Quan Am are carved from green stone. The left leg of Quan Am is extended and rests on a lotus flower, while the right leg is bent and supported by a lotus flower with flexible leaves; a hand clutches a pearl. In addition, there are statues of Arhats and other figures. Numerous stalactites and stalagmites are among the naturally occurring features of the cave, some of which have been worn smooth by years of rubbing by cave visitors.
There are also the Thien Son Temple, Thuyet Kinh Grotto, Phat Tich Temple, and Cua Vong Temple within the Chua Huong complex.
Perfume Pagoda Festival
As one of the most significant Buddhist holy places in Vietnam, every spring after the Vietnamese New Year, thousands of Vietnamese pilgrims flock here to pray for all happiness and prosperity. The culmination of this procession of pilgrims is the Perfume Pagoda Festival. The event begins on the 15th day of the first lunar month and draws large crowds until mid-March.
Gallery / Photos
Working Hours
- Monday Open all day
- Tuesday Open all day
- Wednesday Open all day
- Thursday Open all day
- Friday Open all day
- Saturday Open all day
- Sunday Open all day
Location / Contacts
- Address : Hương Sơn, Mỹ Đức, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
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