TIEN PAGODA – PHU LAO CAVE

Tien pagoda and the system of Phu Lao cave are a relic complex in Phu Nghia commune, Lac Thuy district, about 140km from Hanoi, 80km from the center of Hoa Binh city, located on the western ridge of Huong Tich mountain range, 5km from Huong Son landscape. This is considered an intersection area between the two cultural areas of Kinh - Muong, the residence of the primitive people imprinted with the "Hoa Binh Culture".

Tien pagoda is located at the foot of Tung Se mountain on fairly flat land with the facade facing northeast. According to legend, Tien pagoda was built from ancient times in the style of stilt houses with bamboo materials. Over the years, the pagoda deteriorated. In 1998, with the budget of the relics restoration of the Ministry of Culture and Information and the contributions of the authorities and people in the commune, the pagoda was restored and renovated as spaciously as it is today.

According to the titles currently preserved in monuments conferred by the kings: Tu Duc 6th (1853), Tu Duc 33th (1880), Dong Khanh 2nd (1887) and Duy Tan 3rd (1909), Khai Dinh 9th (1924) decrees for Nhuong Lao commune (Phu Nghia commune now), the gods to be worshiped in the relic group are Three gods of Tan Vien and Four gods of Thanh Nuong. They are all Superior gods.

Tien pagoda - Phu Lao cave is a complex of many small caves linked together such as Tien cave, Mother Goddess temple, Tam Toa, Trung communal house, Trinh temple, etc. Each site contains the unique material and spiritual cultural values. Archaeologists have discovered a yellow sedimentary mass, the cave has many stalactites and interesting shapes. The ceiling of the cave also preserved many teeth, spine, fangs and even the skeleton of ancient rodent fossils. The surface is made of granite.

Scientists have determined the ancient site found in Phu Nghia is about 10,000 years ago. This ancient site has increased the excitement of visitors to visit the landscape. The cave system is divided into Lao Noi, Lao Ngoai area with many original sediments with many shapes: mother breast, a sac hatched one hundred eggs, stone Buddha’s hand, stone dragon, etc.

The first stop at the monument is Trinh temple worshiping three gods who have reclaimed this land. The Mother Goddess temple is about 1km from the Trinh temple on the western mountain range. Mother Au Co is worshipped here. The temple was built on the side of the mountain, at an altitude of about 20m above the foot of the mountain, it leans on the mountain and faces toward the valley, a stream named Khom is at the foot of the temple.

From Mother Goddess temple, up to the north along the main road in the middle of the valley, visitors will reach Tien pagoda. Behind the pagoda, right in the Tung Se mountain range, there is the Tien cave with many interesting things. About 500 meters in the northwest of Tien pagoda, there is Trung communal house, located on fairly flat land, facing the south. In the past, the communal house was made of wood and thatched roof. After remodeling, especially in 1995, with the anti-degraded budget of the Ministry of Culture and Information and the people's donations, the communal house was renovated as it is today. After offering incense to the King and the Holy, visitors will visit the ancient semicircular well with clear blue water.

Besides, in the relic, there is also the Giai Oan stream where tourists can remove their sorrow and worried; Mau Long cave where the golden stream and the silver stream are inside. Tourists can also visit Co Chin (the Ninth Maiden of Song Son) cave and Ong Hoang Bay (the Seventh Prince of Bao Ha) cave which associated with legends, and admire the whole scene of Lac Thuy from the entrance of Tam Toa cave. Especially, you can go to the valley of love - where the dew, the wind, and the sun are as sweet as the sweet lovers.

The Tien pagoda festival is annually held at the Tien pagoda relic on the 4th of lunar January. The festival focuses on the main places such as Mother Goddess temple, Trinh temple, Trung temple, Tien pagoda, Tam Toa cave. During the ceremony, the grand procession and solemn ceremony are held to thank the gods who have contributed to the country, wishing a happy new year with good climate and good harvest, etc. This is the place focus on traditional cultural values, so when coming to the festival, visitors will enjoy a solemn procession, express their respect, satisfy the need of learning about the spiritual culture and take part in the festival part with many unique folk games.

With these historical - cultural values, the Tien pagoda - Phu Lao cave was granted a certificate of historical - cultural relics on September 30, 1989, by the Ministry of Culture and Information.

The cave complex of Tien pagoda area in Phu Nghia commune, Lac Thuy district, Hoa Binh province is ranked as National relic by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism according to the Decision No. 3527/QĐ-BVHTTDL of November 1^st, 2011.

Currently, this is an attractive tourist and spiritual attraction, welcoming thousands of tourists every year.