According to the head of the Management Board of Huong Tich Pagoda Tourist Area, in the past, the pagoda had a sign that prohibited visitors from touching the tiger statue, but it was difficult to control it because of too many tourists.
From the 1st of the Lunar New Year until now, more than 31,000 visitors have come to worship Huong Tich Pagoda (in Thien Loc commune, Can Loc district, Ha Tinh province).
People and tourists come to this temple to pray for themselves and their families for a year of good health and peace as well as enjoy the scenery here. Besides, there are also many tourists coming to this temple to… cure diseases.
Visitors jostle to rub the tiger statue.
According to PV .’s observation People There is a statue that is said to be a tiger placed in the direction of the main hall of Huong Tich pagoda. This tiger statue is made of concrete, regarding 1m long, painted yellow in a resting position. In front of the statue, there is a stone table for people to offer offerings and burn incense.
Thinking that the “tiger god” can cure all diseases, when going to Huong Tich pagoda, people crowded together to apply oil to the tiger statue. After burning incense to pray, many people touch and rub the statue and then rub it on themselves.
Overcoming more than 100km of pilgrimage from Quang Binh province to Huong Tich pagoda, Ms. Nguyen Thi Tu (45 years old) said that she came to this temple in addition to praying for health and peace, but also for the purpose of rubbing the tiger statue to wish. have health and cure.
Many people believe that rubbing a tiger statue can cure diseases, but there is no scientific basis for this.
Due to many tourists rubbing it, many positions of the tiger statue changed from yellow to black.
Mr. Vo Thanh Chung, Head of the Management Board of Huong Tich Pagoda Tourist Area, said that the “tiger god” statue placed at Huong Tich pagoda is related to the legend of Princess Dieu Thien.
Because tourists rub a lot, some points of the tiger statue turn from yellow to black.
“There is no scientific basis to confirm that touching the tiger statue at Huong Tich Pagoda can cure diseases. In the past, the pagoda also had a sign that prohibited visitors from touching the tiger statue, but then due to the large number of tourists, it was difficult to control.” , said Mr. Chung.
Huong Tich Pagoda is also known as Huong Tich Co Tu, which means Thom Pagoda. This pagoda is located at an altitude of 650m above sea level, located halfway up Huong Tich peak, one of the most beautiful peaks among 99 Hong mountain peaks, in Thien Loc commune, Can Loc district, Ha Tinh province.
Huong Tich Pagoda is known as “Hoan Chau the first scenic spot”, one of the 21 landscapes of ancient Annam. The pagoda was built in the Tran Dynasty, in the 13th century, associated with the story of Princess Dieu Thien – the son of King Trang Vuong of the So state who practiced and transformed into a Buddha.