Chapter 23 of 72 in Hà Nội: Renowned Historic Buddhist Temples · pages 246–257
Hương Temple
Thiên Trù Temple
Chùa Hương
Hương Temple is a complex of 18 shrines, temples and caves centered on Thiên Trù Temple and Hương Tích Cave, hosting the country's longest festival and blending several religious traditions.
Key facts
- Address
- Yến Vĩ, Đục Khê, Hội Xá and Phú Yên Hamlets, Hương Sơn Commune (approximate location) · Show on the map
- Founded
- 15th century, under Lê Thánh Tông, per old records
- Heritage status
- Special National Heritage Site (25 December 2017)
- Book pages
- 246–257
Highlights
- Hương Tích Cave bears Trịnh Sâm's inscription 'First Cave of the Southern Sky'
- Blue-stone Quan Âm statue from the Tây Sơn era, 1793
- Three pilgrimage routes: Hương Tích, Tuyết Sơn and Long Vân
Milestones
- 1467 King Lê Thánh Tông passes through Hương Sơn and names it Thiên Trù
- 1680 Thiên Trù stele is erected, recording the Kim Dung Hall's restoration
- 1947 French forces burn Thiên Trù Temple down to rubble
- 1951 Thích Thanh Chân builds six thatched rooms to keep the temple alive
- 1989 Thích Viên Thành begins restoring Thiên Trù Temple
- 2017 The complex is ranked a Special National Heritage Site
From the book
Hương Temple, also known as Hương Sơn, is the name of a complex of 18 temples, shrines, and caves, scattered across four villages: Yến Vĩ, Đục Khê, Hội Xá, and Phú Yên, in Hương Sơn Commune, Hà Nội. Its main centers are Thiên Trù Temple and Hương Temple, located inside Hương Tích Cave.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Hương Temple?
Hương Temple is located at Yến Vĩ, Đục Khê, Hội Xá and Phú Yên Hamlets, Hương Sơn Commune, Hà Nội, Vietnam.
When was Hương Temple founded?
15th century, under Lê Thánh Tông, per old records
Is Hương Temple a ranked heritage site?
Special National Heritage Site (25 December 2017)
What is the formal name of Hương Temple?
Its formal (literary) name is Thiên Trù Temple.