Construction of the main hall took 128 years to complete and the magnificent building was considered to be one of the Three Great Architectural Structures of Japan along with the mausoleum at Tosho-gu Shrine in Nikko and the Sanmon gate at Chion-in Temple, but almost the entire temple complex, including the main hall, was burned to the ground in an accidental fire in November 1902.
本堂は起工から128年の年数をかけ、日光の本廟・知恩院の三門とともに、日本三建築の一つと称せられた壮大華麗な大伽藍であったが、1902年（明治35年）11月、不慮の火災により、本堂その他ほとんどを灰燼に帰する不幸が起る。