Pagodas and temples in Hà Nội

Trấn Quốc pagoda: 

The pagoda was built in the 6th century, in pre-Lý Nam Đế dynasty (541-548) on a small island in the West lake. It’s originally called Khai Quốc and changed as Trấn Quốc in the 17th century. In the 19th century, king Thiệu Trị named it Trấn Bắc Tự but it’s popularly known as Trấn Quốc, and it’s one of ten pagodas in Indochina at the time. It’s famous for the natural landscapes, a number of stupa, and a Buddha-Nirvana. The pagoda is also well-known for the Bồ Đề (bodi-tree), a gift by the Indian president in 1959, it’s planted in the ground-centre and very big and bushy nowadays.
One Pillar Pagoda

First and foremost: one pillar pagoda, part of Diên Hựu pagodas complex, next to Hồ Chí Minh museum. The pagoda was built in 1049 after a dream of king Lý Thái Tông. It’s said that the king did not have son to succeed him when he was rather old, he used to visit Diên Hựu pagoda. One night, he dreamed of the Buddha on a lotus flower with a baby in arms, then gave it to the king. Later on, his queen gave birth to a handsome prince. The king was so glad that he ordered a pagoda be built on a stone column that looked like a lotus flower, with a statue of Buddha inside as his gratitude. It’s also said that the pagoda was built on a 20m-high stone column. It was destroyed by the Chinese Minh invaders in 15th century and rebuilt in 1954 as it’s today.
Quán Thánh pagoda: 

The pagoda, well-reputed with a black copper statue, was built in 1010 under king Lý Thái Tổ dynasty by side of road Thanh Niên, close to Trúc Bạch lake dedicated to saint Trấn Vũ. It’s said that the saint helped king An Dương Vương to keep away devils when building Cổ Loa citadel. Originally, the statue was made of wood. In 1677, under king Lê Hy Tôn dynasty, it was made of copper with 3.96m in height, 4 tons heavy, 3.48m in perimeter. The base is 8m. In 1892, it was put on 1.5m high stone base. On the gate door, there are 3 Chinese characters: Trấn Vũ Quan.
Quán Sứ pagoda

It is located in No73 Quán Sứ street, Hoàn Kiếm district, Hà Nội. The pagoda was built in the 15th century under the Lê dynasty. The pagoda was restored many times so it was not ancient as before. The pagoda was entirely renovated in 1942 and it is the biggest pagoda in Hà Nội. Since 1958, a part of the pagoda is head office of Việt Nam Buddhism Association.
Hai Bà Trưng pagoda

The pagoda was built in 1142 under the reign of king Lý Anh Tông to worship two Vietnamese heroines Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị in Hương Viên street, Đồng Nhân ward, Hai Bà Trưng district, Hà Nội. There are two fine clay statues of two Trưng heroines with 12 statues of their general -ladies. Every year, a grand festival is held at the pagoda on the 5th and 6th days of the second lunar month to commemorate the two national heroines.
Ngọc Sơn temple

It was built on Ngọc (Jade) island in returned sword lake in Trần dynasty (1225-1400). National hero Trần Hưng Đạo and some illustrious writers are worshipped in the temple. Originally, it was a small temple and enlarged time by time. In 1865, Ngọc Sơn temple was renovated the shape which we can see today. A large pen -shaped tower (Tháp Bút) was built at the entrance of the temple. On the Tháp Bút, there are three Chinese characters Tạ Thanh Thiên. Behind Tháp Bút it is Đài Nghiên (Ink Stand). Passing Đài Nghiên, you walk into the temple crossing Thê Húc bridge made of wood.

Religious architectures, temples and pagodas in Hà Nội have enticed great number of tourists to the capital.

By Tuyet Minh