Time and weather have left their marks on the One-Pillar Pagoda and its complex. Moreover, during previous restorations, several features were added which changed the original landscape and structure.
For many years, during the rainy seasons, statutes within the building have had to be covered with raincoats, and nuns and monks used buckets to collect rain water. Some parts of the complex have also been flooded.
Hanoi authorities announced on December 12 that they would spend VND18.5 billion (USD890,000) to upgrade the Mot Cot, or One-Pillar Pagoda, which is expected to be completed by April 2014.
Time and weather have left their marks on the One-Pillar Pagoda and its complex. Moreover, during previous restorations, several features were added which changed the original landscape and structure.
For many years, during the rainy seasons, statutes within the building have had to be covered with raincoats, and nuns and monks used buckets to collect rain water. Some parts of the complex have also been flooded.
The One Pillar Pagoda was built at an order by Emperor Ly Thai Tong, who ruled from 1028 to 1054.
Built of wood on a single stone pillar, 1.25m in diameter, it is designed to resemble a lotus blossom, a Buddhist symbol of purity.
