Hòn Chén sanctuary

The sanctuary is a religious relic and a famed landscape of Huế ancient royal city in village Hải Cát, Hương Thọ commune, Hương Trà district.

Hòn Chén festival Photo: TV

Hòn Chén is closely associated with legendary stories: Hòn Chén was formerly called Hoàn Chén or “restore the gemstone cup” and it’s said that once king Minh Mạng came here and he dropped a cup of gemstone to the perfume river. The cup was believed never to be found but suddenly, a large tortoise (as large as a mattress) came up with the cup in his mouth and returned it to the king.

           

Hòn Chén complex has about 10 projects on the slope of Ngọc Trản mountain overlooking Hương river hidden in green foliage. The mountain was first called Hương Uyển Sơn, latter changed as Ngọc Trản (pearl-cup) and popular named Hòn Chén (due to its round shape as an up-side-down cup) and the temple dedicated to the goddess located at mid-way the slope is Hòn Chén.

           

The main architectural project is Minh Kính Đài, on the right is Quan Cư, Trinh Cát Viện and Thánh pagoda, on the left is palace Ngũ Hành, altars to mandarins, temples Hổ, Ngoại Cảnh and close to riverbank is Thủy Phủ temple…

           

Minh Kính Đài is also the place for rituals and ceremonies. Formerly, it’s organized twice a year (in early lunar March and July) and royal VIPs were masters of ceremony. Minh Kính Đài was divided into 3 palaces (from top downwards). The first is Thượng cung or upper palace dedicated to goddess Thiên Y A Na, goddess Vân Hương, photo of king Đồng Khánh. The 2^nd palace worships other gods and worship-objects. The 3^rd one with a large altar, drums and bells on both sides is spared for pilgrims and ceremony.

           

Minh Kính Đài is a typically architectural project built in shape of a phoenix. On top-roofs, small phoenixes were made of delicate ceramics.

           

Hòn Chén is not only a religious historic relic, but a famous landscape, a cultural spot and destination for visitors.   

                                                                        THU THẢO

source : http://www.vtr.org.vn/vtr.php?ml=923&pid=1146