Hyangdaecheong Hall (Great Incense Hall)

Hyangdaecheong, or the Great Incense Hall, serves as a dedicated hall for the preparation of rites. Comprising two long buildings positioned side by side with a rectangular courtyard between them, this structure holds distinct roles for the rituals conducted at the shrine. The left building, known as Hyangcheong or the Incense Hall, primarily functions as a storage area for essential religious items utilized during the seasonal memorial rites conducted in the shrine. These items include incense, which is essential for invoking the spirits of the deceased royal ancestors, as well as written prayers offered to the gods of heaven and earth. Additionally, this space houses special gifts presented to the spirits and gods. Historically, these items were bestowed by the king on the day preceding the rite. The building today maintains all the ritual vessels, though without food offerings, arranged in a manner reminiscent of the original rite. The adjacent building on the right, Jipsacheong, translates to the Stewards' Hall, where all the stewards convened to prepare themselves for the rite. During the Joseon period, several buildings served specific duties related to preparing, overseeing, and managing the rite. However, amidst turbulent times, Jipsacheong remains the sole surviving structure from that period.