Yeongoksa Temple淵谷寺

Yeongoksa Temple, located in Naedong-ri, Toji-myeon, Gurye-gun, was founded in 543 (the 21st year of King Seong of Baekje) by Gyeonggi-josa, the head monk of Hwaeomsa Temple. It was destroyed during the Imjin War and again during the Korean War. However, within the temple grounds, two National Treasures and four Treasures, including the East Stupa and North Stupa, are preserved. Since March 1, 1981, when the former abbot, Monk Jang Sung-bu, demolished the old main hall with government support and donations and constructed a new main hall measuring five bays in front and three bays on the side, building retaining walls with granite and natural stones, restoration work has been continuously underway. The temple was named Yeongoksa (燕谷寺, Swallow Valley Temple) because when Gyeonggi-josa first arrived here and was observing the geomancy, there was a pond at the current site of the main hall. While intently watching the pond, he saw water swirling in the center and a swallow flying out from it. He then filled the pond, built the main hall, and named the temple Yeongoksa. Meanwhile, what draws attention at Yeongoksa is the monument to the martyred righteous army leader Go Gwang-sun. When the nation's sovereignty was handed over to Japan with the Eulsa Treaty, anti-Japanese righteous armies rose up across the country, and their activities were particularly vigorous in the Honam region. A representative figure was Go Gwang-sun, a righteous army leader from Damyang. On August 26, 1907, he established his base at Yeongoksa in Jirisan and actively engaged in righteous army activities, but he was ambushed, defeated, and martyred. The temple also burned down at that time. A monument commemorating him has been erected within the temple grounds.