The lotus-shape stone worshipping altar possessed by Kham Lang Pagoda located in Luc Nam district of the Northern Province of Bac Giang has been classified as a national treasure since 2015 for its artistic and cultural values.
The stone altar has 3.12m long, 1.4m wide and 1.2m high is an artistic work with unique stone carvings. It is made of green stone blocks sticking together and has three parts of the main body, worshipping objects and a base in the middle for placing worshipping objects.
Each of the four sides of the body of the altar has three layers all carved with 16 petals of the lotus flower, thus the whole body of the altar looks like a lotus flower.
Other layers of the altar’s main body were also carved with flying dragons and daisy flowers.
The carvings on the right side of the altar body show old Chinese letters informing the time when the altar was completed which coincides with the year 1432 in the Christian calendar.
The base of the altar was made of five rectangle-shape stone blocks. There were also carvings of waving shapes and three lines, creating together a harmonious and balancing look.
The art of stone carvings featured in the stone worshipping altar was recognized as originating from Ly-Tran dynasties’ model.
Together with its stone worshipping altar classified as a national treasure, Kham Lang Pagoda located in the commune of the same name was also classified as a national architectural relic as early as in 1999 by the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism.
PTT
