The Ministry of Culture requests urgent protection of the national treasure after the temple is vandalized

Before the information that Pho Quang Pagoda (Xuan Lung commune, Lam Thao district, Phu Tho province) caught fire, the Cultural Heritage Department (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) had sent a letter to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Phu Tho province, requesting the local authorities to urgently inspect the reality at the relic site and implement measures to protect the national treasure - the stone Buddha altar.

The Cultural Heritage Department requested the local authorities to assess the extent of the damage and propose a solution while also reporting to the People's Committee of Phu Tho province and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism before 10 a.m. on October 24.

Prior to this, the People's Committee of Xuan Lung commune had reported the fire at Pho Quang Pagoda. Specifically, at 9:45 a.m. on October 23, the commune People's Committee received a report of the fire at Pho Quang Pagoda and immediately mobilized rescue forces.

The scene of the fire at Pho Quang Pagoda (Xuan Lung commune, Lam Thao district, Phu Tho province) (Photo: Cultural Heritage Department).

When the commune officials and rescue forces arrived at the scene, the flames were already high. The commune People's Committee mobilized those present at the scene to use on-site means (fire extinguishers, hoses, buckets, basins, etc.) while waiting for the fire brigade to arrive.

At 10:30 a.m., the fire brigade arrived at the scene and carried out firefighting measures, and by 11:30 a.m., the fire had been completely extinguished.

However, the fire caused damage of 25 billion VND, including: the Three Jewels Pagoda, 27 Buddha statues, and various facilities in the pagoda were completely damaged.

Specifically, the national treasure - the stone Buddha altar - had its lotus flower wings broken.

The national treasure - the stone Buddha altar - with broken lotus flower wings after the fire (Photo: Cultural Heritage Department).

Pho Quang Pagoda is a national historical and cultural relic recognized in 1980. The pagoda, with over 800 years of history, still preserves many valuable artifacts, especially the national treasure - the stone Buddha altar.

The stone Buddha altar is a unique and artistic masterpiece, bearing the distinctive style of art from the Ly - Tran period, created in 1388 during the reign of King Tran Hiep De.