Unique ancient rock altars on Oc Son Mountain

Perched on the slopes of Oc Son Mountain (Ha Trung - Thanh Hoa), Long Cam Pagoda was built over 1,000 years ago and still holds many priceless treasures, including ancient rock altars that resonate throughout the region.

Explore the unique ancient rock altars on Oc Son Mountain in Thanh Hoa

Long Cam Pagoda (Thon Trang Cac, Ha Phong Commune, Ha Trung District, Thanh Hoa Province) is situated on the slopes of Oc Son Mountain (also known as Co Son), overlooking the Len River. Although not large, the pagoda occupies a beautiful location surrounded by tranquil villages and rice fields. Long Cam Pagoda was recognized as a provincial historical relic in 1992 and is undergoing the process of national relic recognition.

According to ancient records, in the eleventh year of Thuan Thien (1020), King Ly Thai To led an expedition to Chiêm Thành and stopped at Quang Hoa Prefecture (present-day Ha Trung District), resting on the slopes of Oc Son Mountain. That night, the King dreamed of a golden dragon, a sign of good fortune. Upon returning victorious to the capital, he remembered his dream on Oc Mountain and ordered the construction of a temple there, naming it Long Cam (meaning gratitude).

In the past, the vast rice fields surrounding the area were inundated with water, and the only means of transportation to the temple was by boat through the channels leading from the river. At that time, Oc Son Mountain was desolate and densely covered with foliage, so locals often referred to it as Co Son Mountain. Over centuries, the temple deteriorated. After numerous renovations and restorations, the present-day Long Cam Pagoda stands majestically and deserves its prestigious status.

Insightful revelations from Thich Dam Quang, the abbot of Long Cam Pagoda, disclose the presence of a multitude of priceless treasures within the temple premises, ranging from ancient bronze bells, antique tablets, four stone pillars in the main courtyard, ancient stone altars, to eight stone statues representing the revered patriarchs who once practiced at the temple. These are revered as rare and exquisite pieces of art. Among them, the pair of ancient stone altars, weighing approximately 300 – 400 kg each, captivate the attention of visitors. These stone altars, adorned in a grayish-blue hue, are suspended elegantly on stone pillars at the forefront of the temple courtyard. Both stone altars are meticulously carved from large stone blocks into crescent shapes, with one adorned with intricate floral patterns.

“One of the altars, originally adorned with floral patterns, was not originally part of the temple; it was previously housed in a nearby village temple. When the village temple collapsed, someone lamented the loss of this precious altar and discreetly submerged it in a nearby pond before later presenting it to Long Cam Pagoda. As for the other ancient stone altar at Long Cam Pagoda, its origins remain shrouded in mystery, but it is speculated to have been present since the time of the Ly dynasty's construction of the temple, over 1000 years ago,” revealed Thich Dam Quang, the abbot.

According to Thich Dam Tam, in the past, one of the ancient stone altars at the temple was stolen but later found in a ditch. “During the 1970s, when the temple was on the verge of collapse, nearly beyond repair, local residents carried the stone altar down to the village. Despite attempts by some families to break the stone altar for lime, it remained resilient. Strangely, a healthy man from one of the families suddenly passed away without any apparent illness. Fearing supernatural repercussions, the family promptly returned the stone altar to a ditch in the village, where it was later rediscovered by the temple,” recounted Thich Dam Tam.

The distinguishing feature between these two ancient stone altars lies in the profound, resonant sound produced by the altar at Long Cam Pagoda. When struck forcefully with a wooden mallet, the stone altar resonates like a bronze bell, echoing far and wide, distinctly audible to many villages at the foot of the mountain. In contrast, the other stone altar produces a standard, dull sound. Cultural researcher Phan Bao attributes this difference in sound quality to the stone material used. “The resonant stone altar is undoubtedly crafted from Nhồi stone (An Hoach ward, Thanh Hoa city), a type of stone found nowhere else, while the other altar is carved from ordinary green stone,” affirmed Phan Bao.

In the book 'Van Dai Loai Ngu' ('A Collection of Miscellaneous Prose') by Le Quy Don, there is a tale of the official Le Huu Kieu, who, while stationed in Thanh Hoa as a military commander, commissioned the carving of a fish-shaped stone altar from Hoach Son stone. The altar bore the inscription: 'Hoach Son stone, resounding sound/Blue hue, smooth and beautiful/When struck, clear and melodious/No one can resist its charm...'. This further corroborates Phan Bao's explanation.

Long Cam Pagoda, beyond being a unique temple housing many precious treasures, also served as a vital stronghold for the people of Thanh Hoa during wartime. During the resistance against the US, the temple provided a safe haven for placing artillery to defend the Len Bridge against relentless bombardment by American planes, aimed at destroying the bridge and severing the vital transportation link between the North and South. Additionally, it served as a sanctuary for soldiers, with many gates and temple doors removed to serve as stretchers for the wounded.

As per The Laborer

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Reference: Mytour Travel Handbook