Thien Mu pagoda- The oldest and most beautiful religious construction of Hue Imperial City

Published: 20:13 Wednesday - November 30, 2011

Thien Mu Pagoda is situated on Ha Khe Hill, on the left bank of the Perfume River, in Huong Long village, 5 km from Hue city. The pagoda is one of the most beautiful and ancient architectural structures for worship in Hue.

Thien Mu Pagoda, also known as Linh Mu Pagoda, is one of the most beautiful and ancient architectural structures for worship in Hue. Built in the 14th century, the pagoda is connected to a legend of a fairy lady . According to the legend, the people around this area used to see a vision of an old lady appearing on the hill where the pagoda now sits. On seeing people, she always said that someday a great leader would build a pagoda at this site to bring peace to the country. One day, when Lord Nguyen Hoang passed by this area, upon hearing the story, he ordered the construction of the pagoda named Chua Thien Mu - Heavenly Lady Pagoda.

It’s 5 kilometers fa from Hue city, the pagoda is situated on Ha Khe hill, on the left bank of the Perfume River, in Huong Long village.

The pagoda was built in 1601, and then Lord Nguyen Phuc Tan had it renovated in 1665. In 1710 Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu had a great bell cast (2.5 m high, weighed 3,285 kg) and a stele (2.58 m high) erected on the back of a marble tortoise in 1715. In the Nguyen Dynasty, Kings such as Gia Long, Minh Mang, Thieu Tri, Thanh Thai all had the pagoda restored.

Phuoc Duyen tower (at first called Tu Nhan tower) was erected in 1884 by King Thieu Tri. This octagonal tower has seven storeys (21 m high), built in honour of Nhu Lai Buddha and The Ton. Dai Hung shrine, the main-hall, presents a magnificent architecture.

As well as bronze cast statues, it shelters some precious antiques: bronze gong cast in 1677, and a wooden gilded board with Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu's inscriptions (1714). On both sides of the pagoda are a room for the bonzes and a guest-room for visitors in Vietnam travel.

In 1943, the pagoda was heavily damaged. Bonze Thich Don Hau hence organised a great renovation of the pagoda, that lasted for more than 30 years. It is now surrounded with flowers and ornamental plants. At the far end of the garden, a calm and romantic pine-tree forest is stretched.

The pagoda becomes more and more magnificent and attracts both domestic and international tourists joining tours in Vietnam. If you plan to visit Hue, you once reach Thien Mu pagoda. Surely, you cannot leave Hue without bringing the admiration of natural and ancient beauty here.

Vietnam Tourism- Vietnam Travel Company