It was an unusual night but the night sky was very bright as lightning glazed across with strong wind and brightened up the sky that brought on the heavy rainstorm. This happened at 1:57am on 4 August 1981 which led to the dramatic collapse of the Famen Temple, a 13-storey pagoda in Shaanxi province, China.
As if it was an indication from an unknown divine power, the Pagoda starts to crack with one of its side slides down with half of the pagoda standing, the pagoda was in vain trying to highlight to the world of its refusal to fall, with its clear intention to protect its underground crypt below .
This incident caught and drew universal attention around the world when news broke out the following day.
Like a tale straight out from a fantasy story, a sealed and forgotten underground palace was discovered after the pagoda on top of it finally totally collapsed.collapsed. Inside the crypt, one chamber led to another, revealing hidden treasures that had not been seen for more than 1,000 years.it resulted in the discovery of forgotten treasure dating from the Tang dynasty and beyond
Over the centuries, the idea of such a palace existing within the temple grounds turned into myth. Many had beleived buddhist veneration ritual did took place at the temple before, but subject of hidden treasure has been common folk's rumours, and temple performing rituals were common in those days especially before the suppressive political movements, but since no one could find it, the story was discounted.
Even when it was rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty at the same location, it was never found then as archaeologist found a different base foundation and built over the original base. Therefore there was No record of the Underground palace mentioned or ever written in any historical document thereafter.
Could The Myth Be True ?
As archaeologists found hidden in the chamber in a special niche far beneath the rear chamber's ground of the palace was another masterpiece which could be over 1700 years old, it is deemed as the utmost treasure, which was presented by the Ashoka King from India
Why was this relic hidden, 3 decoys and possibly replicas were fabricated by the Tang to help keep it hidden About 120 km to the west of Xian lies the Famen Temple, situated in the cradle of ancient Chinese civilization considered as one of the most revered Buddhist sites in China. It reached the height of its fame during the Tang dynasty when the chinese together with the imperial rulers of that era engaged and worshipped this Buddha's relic which possibly was presented to China around the beginning of Christianity. Buddhism was carried to Central Asia where Buddhism was ableto take root, influencing Chinese culture. Its divinity has been observed by No less than seven Tang emperors, including Empress Wu Zetian (from 684–705), who were associated with the monastery.