Saturday 30 December 2017

Saigon's ‘floating temple’

Like many other spiritual sites in this city, the year-end is the time when this floating temple is at its busiest.    

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It was built over 300 years ago with a touch of Chinese influence.
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This temple in Ho Chi Minh City covers an entire islet on Vam Thuat River in Go Vap District, making it look as if it were floating. The temple was originally known as Phu Chau, but nowadays people call it the Floating Temple.
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Legend has it that a fisherman found the body of a dead woman in the river back in the 18th century so he decided to bury her on the islet and build a temple to worship her. From that moment on, his life became much better. Locals have continued his work to expand and upgrade the temple to what it is now.
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At the beginning of the year, people come to pray for luck and peace, and to express their gratitude to the five goddesses they call “the Five Mothers”.
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Source - VN Express