Jungakdan, Sinwonsa

Temple · Korea

Sinwonsa

Wish Fulfillment

Researched and translated with AI assistance. Every claim is linked to its source, but errors get through, so check the official site for opening times, fees and closures.About

In short

The only survivor of the three royal mountain-god altars of Joseon stands in the grounds of Sinwonsa on Gyeryongsan.

Jungakdan, the mountain-god hall in the grounds of Sinwonsa on Gyeryongsan. — Ryuch at English Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Quick facts

Address: Gyeryongsan, Gyeryong-myeon, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do
Spiritual entities: Sansin (山神), the mountain god

About this place

Jungakdan is a wooden hall built in the Joseon period for offering rites to the mountain god of Gyeryongsan. Joseon maintained three such altars — on Myohyangsan, Jirisan and Gyeryongsan — and Jungakdan is the only one still standing. Queen Myeongseong had it rebuilt in 1879 so that rites could be offered again, and it was designated a Treasure in 1999. Mountain-god rites are still held here.

Origin and history

Jungakdan is a wooden hall built in the Joseon period for offering rites to the mountain god of Gyeryongsan. Joseon treated Myohyangsan as the upper peak, Jirisan as the lower and Gyeryongsan as the middle, setting an altar at each; unlike the upper and lower altars, which have not survived, Jungakdan is well preserved.

Queen Myeongseong had it rebuilt in 1879 so that rites could be offered there. It was designated a provincial tangible cultural property in 1973 and a Treasure in 1999.

What it is locally associated with

Origin
One of three royal altars
The upper altar on Myohyangsan and the lower on Jirisan are gone; only Jungakdan survives intact.
documented history
Origin
Rebuilt in 1879 by Queen Myeongseong
She had it rebuilt so rites could be offered again; it became a Treasure in 1999.
documented history
What people do hereWish Fulfillment
The mountain-god rite today
Reported as an occasion for praying for the peace of the country and for the wellbeing of those attending.
popular modern

Jungakdan is where rites were offered to the mountain god of Gyeryongsan. That is as far as the state record goes; it does not say what the Joseon rites asked for.

A little more is known about the mountain-god rite held here now. Press reports describe it as an occasion for praying both for the peace of the country and for the personal wellbeing of those taking part. That is reporting rather than state record or the temple’s own statement, and this page gives it no more weight than that.

Claims and evidence levels 3

Jungakdan is a Joseon-period wooden hall for rites to the mountain god of Gyeryongsan, and the only survivor of three royal altars set on Myohyangsan, Jirisan and Gyeryongsan. documented history
Queen Myeongseong had it rebuilt in 1879 so that rites could be offered there; it was designated a Treasure in 1999, having been a provincial property since 1973. documented history
Press reports of the mountain-god rite held here describe participants praying both for the peace of the country and for their own wellbeing; the state record does not state what the historical rites asked for. popular modern

Related guides

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Prayer sites and the one wishThe three great Gwaneum sites, the five relic halls, and the crowds before the entrance exam. Where the saying about one wish comes from, and where the record stops.