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One of Saigon's renowned spiritual landmarks, the Ông Bà Chiểu mausoleum, with over 200 years of existence, has become a special beauty in the hearts of both locals and pilgrims seeking peace and blessings.
Lăng Ông Bà Chiểu – A Sacred Temple in the Heart of Saigon
The Ông Bà Chiểu Mausoleum is the largest cultural and spiritual monument in Ho Chi Minh City. It is the tomb of General Lê Văn Duyệt (1764-1832) – the former governor of Gia Định province. The mausoleum is accurately named Thượng Công Temple, written in Chinese characters at the Tam Quan gate.
The entire Ông Bà Chiểu Mausoleum is situated on a spacious and elevated land covering a total area of 18,500 square meters. The surrounding wall of the mausoleum is 500m long, 1.2m high, and has 4 gates facing 4 directions: Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Phan Đăng Lưu, Trịnh Hoài Đức, and Vũ Tùng. With its ancient architectural style and impressive length, this place has attracted many visitors for sightseeing and photography.
The mausoleum has 4 gates, among which the main gate in the south (opening to Vũ Tùng Street) is designed in the Tam Quan style, with the three characters 'Thượng Công Temple' engraved above.
The roof of the ancestral shrine is adorned with images of various animals and different patterns such as thrushes, peacocks, lotus flowers, and peonies, depicting realistic themes closely related to human life.
Additionally, the unique feature of the Ông Bà Chiểu mausoleum architecture lies in its ancient relics, bearing the essence of the 19th and 20th centuries. With fading golden hues over time, complemented by intricate patterns in red, blue, orange, and white, it creates a visually stunning yet profoundly sacred architectural ensemble.
The ancestral shrine, known as the Upper Sacred Temple, comprises the front hall, middle hall, and main hall, predominantly adorned in red and gold.
The tomb is the first structure built within the mausoleum, hence being the oldest. The tomb consists of two adjacent burial chambers, one housing the remains of General Lê Văn Duyệt and the other his wife, Madame Đỗ Thị Phẫn. The tomb of Ông Bà Chiểu is referred to as the 'turtle' tomb due to its turtle-shaped design. Surrounding the tomb is a thick stone wall, leading to the incense-burning courtyard.
In front of the tomb area stand two lion statues, with the statue on the right side featuring a cub (a composite lion). There's a hypothesis suggesting that the tomb adjacent to this composite lion statue belongs to General Lê Văn Duyệt.
Each hall within the ancestral shrine is separated by a skylight. Deep within the main hall area, there's a corner reconstructing the ordinary life scenes of General Lê Văn Duyệt. However, only those with official roles are allowed access to this area to perform rituals.
The ancestral shrine is where the people engage in religious activities to worship General Lê Văn Duyệt. With exquisite wood carving, stone carving, and delicate porcelain inlay techniques, the ancestral shrine is the most beautiful place within the entire compound.
Here, visitors can request blessings from General Lê Văn Duyệt, a common practice in Vietnam, particularly at the Lăng Ông. People come here to seek health, healing, and blessings. They can visit the Incense House, the Middle Hall, or the West Hall for their requests.
From the 29th of July to the 2nd of August every lunar year, a memorial ceremony for General Lê Văn Duyệt is held here. This event attracts many people from both within and outside the city. People take advantage of this time to pray for health, peace, and even love.
Address of Lăng Ông Bà Chiểu: No. 1 Vũ Tùng Street, Ward 3, Bình Thạnh District, Ho Chi Minh City.
According to Mytour
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Reference: Travel guide by Mytour
MytourOctober 25, 2022
