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Ong Pagoda is a sacred pagoda in District 5 of Saigon. Every year, a Quan De worshiping event is place at Ong Pagoda. Let us learn more about the distinctive features of Ong Pagoda as well as useful information about cultural events.
About Ong Pagoda
In District 5, Ong Pagoda is also known as Quan De Temple or Nghia An Hoi Quan. This is not only a place of worship for the Chaozhou Chinese in Saigon, but it is also regarded as a one-of-a-kind architectural work from the second part of the nineteenth century to the beginning of the twentieth. As a result, on November 7, 1993, the Ministry of Culture and Information designated Ong Pagoda as a national architectural and cultural relic.
Address: 676 Nguyen Trai Street, Ward 11, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City.
Ong Pagoda is the spiritual address of the Chinese and Vietnamese communities who come to pray every day. The majestic spiritual space, escaping from the world with sacred stories, makes Ong Pagoda always wear a mysterious and attractive shirt.
Ong Pagoda is also known as Quan De Temple or Nghia An Hoi Quan
History of Ong Pagoda in District 5
Ong Pagoda was constructed almost 300 years ago. The pagoda was known as Nghia An Hoi Quan at the time because it served as the Tieu Chau Chinese people's gathering hall in Nghia An, Guangdong, China.
Furthermore, the pagoda is also known as Quan De Temple since the temple worships Quan Cong. As a result, any of the following names are correct: Quan De Temple, Nghia An Hoi Quan, or Ong Pagoda.
Ong Pagoda has undergone numerous restorations since its erection in 1866, 1901, 1969, 1983, and most recently in 2010. The pagoda, however, retains the original elements indicative of ancient building.
Features of Ong Pagoda
Architecture bold Chaozhou style
Ong Pagoda, like the Chinese temples in Saigon, has ancient architecture. The pagoda is made up of many closed and perpendicular rows of homes that form the words "Quoc" or "Kuu". The overall architecture incorporates the following elements: the electrical bill, the Thien Quang courtyard, the main hall, and the assembly hall on both sides of the shrine.
There are worshiping figures, wooden poles with hanging couplets, envelopes, diaphragms, and wonderfully carved and sculpted altars in the main hall. Furthermore, the predominant hue is red, emphasizing the temple's Chaozhou design.
Today, Ong Pagoda in District 5 is a well-known spiritual site that has a significant impact on the lives and cultures of the people who live there.
When tourists enter the temple, they are struck by its beautiful atmosphere. There are 5 pairs of huge and mini unicorns between the big gate and the temple door. Above is a horizontal artwork with the phrases "Nghia An Hoi Quan" etched on it and the scene "Luc Quoc conferred generals" imprinted on it.
Ong Pagoda's yard is around 2,000 square meters in size and takes up more than half of the campus. The remaining items are: the electricity bill, the Thien Quang courtyard, the main hall, and the assembly hall.
Entering from the courtyard is the electric money, in the middle is a bronze incense burner made in 1825. To the left of the electric money is the altar of Phuc Duc Chinh Than. On the right is a statue of General Ma Dau standing next to Xich Tho horse (the horse keeper for Quan Cong).
The main hall has a dignified design with lam, diaphragm, worship, couplets, and so on. The "Dual dragon paintings" in the center are used to honor Quan Thanh De Quan. The statue is 3m tall, built of plaster, wearing a blue brocade shirt, and sits on a throne. The altar for worshiping the almost 2m high Quan Binh and Chau Xuong sculptures stands on both sides.
On the left and right sides of the altar are 60cm high and exquisitely sculpted wooden statues of Ba Thien Hau and Than Tai. There are two maids, as well as two Thien Ly Nhan and Thuan Phong Nhi, next to Ms. Thien Hau's stall. Two Chieu Tai Dong Tu are standing close to Than Tai's booth. The layout of these two altars is quite similar with the altar and the phoenix carved envelope.
The pagoda was known as Nghia An Hoi Quan
Cultural activities at Ong Pagoda
Ong Pagoda observes Quan De worshiping day on April 26 and the January full moon every year. Furthermore, Ong Pagoda has ceremonies to honor Ba Thien Hau, Phuc Duc, the principal god...
Ong Pagoda hosts lamp matches, fortune-telling, and Phuc Kien operas during Tet, making the entire Cho Lon neighborhood highly crowded. Many people go to the Red Horse after the pilgrimage and offering ritual to go through the horse's belly three times. The jingle and resonance of the bell will remove any bad luck and bring luck and fortune for the entire year.
Furthermore, on the day of the White Tiger, many people come here to worship. This is a traditional Chinese habit that means praying for peace, good luck, and the removal of bad luck, the "small people" who follow and annoy them. The pagoda is always warm and fragrant with spiral incense these days, providing a serene and tranquil scene.
Cultural activities at Ong Pagoda
In Saigon, Ong Pagoda in District 5 is well-known as a site to pray for peace, luck, fortune, and love. If you have the opportunity to visit Saigon or join a Ho Chi Minh City Tour, you may also witness the exquisite symbols in the spiritual culture here at Ba Thien Hau Pagoda, Ong Bon Pagoda, and Ba Hai Nam Pagoda.
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