Chu Pao Mountain is famous for being an area with many massive rocks. In the past, this was the place where soldiers made fortifications during the war. In it, there is a stone statue of “Buddha” associated with mysterious stories.
Chu Pao Mountain is known as the site of a fierce battle in the resistance war against the US for national salvation. With a terrain with many large rocks and caves, the Central Highlands Front Command (B3) used it as a base and fortifications of the resistance.
In the early morning, we went to Dai An 1 village (Ia Khuong commune, Chu Pah district, Gia Lai) to learn about strange rocks on Chu Pao mountain. Seen from the foot of the mountain, Chu Pao stands tall in the air with many large-sized rocks and unique shapes.
Leading us to the top of the mountain, Mr. Dao Hoang Vu – Head of Dai An 1 village did not hesitate to tell about the old battle and the mysterious stories surrounding Chu Pao mountain.
“In 1984, I and hundreds of people from Quang Nam came here to live and saw the rocks with many strange shapes on the top of Chu Pao mountain. I also heard many local people tell interesting stories. only in Chu Pao mountain”, Mr. Vu said.
The mystery of the giant stone statues on the top of Chu Pao
After 20 minutes of climbing on the slopes, we reached the top of Chu Pao, where there are many huge rocks. There are dozens of rocks 10-30 m high, 10-20 m in diameter, and hundreds of tons in volume. There are many large flat rocks, many old trees growing around, the roots of the trees are densely wrapped and tightly attached, very unique and beautiful.
According to Mr. Vu, on the top of Chu Pao mountain, there are 3 huge rocks, standing parallel about 30 m high, looking like giant towers. There is a rock shaped by the people with 3 clear parts including: Head, body and 2 legs. In particular, this stone statue has a rough surface, like a giant snake scale. Standing upright and facing down towards National Highway 14 and Dai An village 1. From a distance, the rock looks like a human shape, so people in the area call this giant stone a special name. “Mr. buddha”.
Anh Vu shared: “People tell each other about the story of a giant king cobra protecting the statue of “Buddha.” It is said that while going up the mountain, a man discovered the statue of “Mr. Buddha” “There was a very large king cobra lying in a cave, so many people were called to catch it.
After catching and selling, many people together to catch snakes previously suffered from chronic illness. Knowing that a Buddhist at the foot of Chu Pao mountain bought it and released it in another forest dozens of kilometers away. However, because of the “Buddha” statue, the king cobra returned to its original place. Since then, many people around the mountain still see that snake appearing and they don’t dare to touch it.”
Down the slope of the stone statue, we caught sight of people planting lush bodhi trees. Mr. Ro Cham A Yut (Pok village, Ia Khuong commune) has been cultivating the Chu Pao mountain area for decades, saying that, through the erosion of rain and wind, nature has created rocks at Chu Pao mountain that have Strange and beautiful shape.
“Many years ago, this giant stone statue had 2 large stones on top. However, during a war of our soldiers, one stone fell. Therefore, the statue has a 3-part structure like a human. and is called the “Buddha” statue as it is now”, Mr. A Yut shared.
According to Mr. A Yut, not only create a unique landscape, stone statues also become sacred places. On holidays, many Buddhists and relatives in the area come to the statue of “Buddha” to pray for peace and luck in life.
When the sun gradually fell, it was also when we went down the mountain that we happened to meet Mr. Ksor Bag – an employee of the Northeastern Chu Pah Protection Forest Management Board. He has been in charge of forest management in the Chu Pao mountain area for more than 30 years.
Mr. Bag said: “Chu Pao Mountain is famous as a place of residence for soldiers to fight the enemy during the war, so here often witness a lot of rain of bombs and bullets scattered. In addition to giant rocks, Chu Pao mountain There are also many caves and unspoiled waterfalls that no one knows about. Therefore, on holidays, many young people in many places often come here to explore, have fun, and organize picnics … “.
When standing on the top, we will see green rubber and coffee farms surrounding the foot of the mountain, and in the distance are simple houses mixed with spacious houses of households in Ia Khul commune, and then gradually. follow the sunset.
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