Doc Cuoc Temple
Doc Cuoc Temple
Doc Cuoc Temple
Doc Cuoc Temple
Doc Cuoc Temple
Doc Cuoc Temple
Doc Cuoc Temple
Doc Cuoc Temple
Doc Cuoc Temple
Doc Cuoc Temple
Doc Cuoc Temple
Doc Cuoc Temple
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Introdution

Price: Updating

Phone: 0983823568

Time to visit a place: No limit

Open Time: 7:00 AM - Close Time: 6:00 PM

Email: ttvhdl.samson@thanhhoa.gov.vn

Address: sn 20, nguyen du, phuong truong n, tp. sam n , tinh thanh hoa

Nestled atop Cổ Giải Mountain (also known as the giant sea turtle mountain) in the Trường Lệ range, Sầm Sơn City, Độc Cước Temple is a historic site that, while not grand in size, captivates visitors with its ancient charm, moss-covered walls, and mystical ambiance. This temple draws a large number of locals and tourists, especially during holidays and festivals, who come to pay their respects and offer incense. Visitors to Độc Cước Temple ascend 50 stone steps, passing through the "Tứ Trụ Kính Thiên" gate (Four Pillars of the Heavenly Watch), symbolizing the cosmic axes that channel divine energy from above down to the earthly realm. Atop the pillars are intricate carvings of a phoenix and a guardian lion. The phoenix carries the prayers of the people and the smoke of incense to the gods, while the lion watches over and scrutinizes the deeds and moral integrity of those who enter the temple. After passing this spiritual checkpoint, visitors ascend further to the temple’s main gate, known as the Tam Quan, which marks the peak of the Cổ Giải Mountain, the fifth peak in the Trường Lệ mountain range. Here, the temple venerates the one-legged god, known as "Độc Cước ... View more

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The Legend of the One-Legged God at the Temple atop the Mountain
 Nestled atop Cổ Giải Mountain (also known as the giant sea turtle mountain) in the Trường Lệ range, Sầm Sơn City, Độc Cước Temple is a historic site that, while not grand in size, captivates visitors with its ancient charm, moss-covered walls, and mystical ambiance. This temple draws a large number of locals and tourists, especially during holidays and festivals, who come to pay their respects and offer incense.

Độc Cước Temple – A National Historic Landmark

 

Độc Cước Temple from outside

Visitors to Độc Cước Temple ascend 50 stone steps, passing through the "Tứ Trụ Kính Thiên" gate (Four Pillars of the Heavenly Watch), symbolizing the cosmic axes that channel divine energy from above down to the earthly realm. Atop the pillars are intricate carvings of a phoenix and a guardian lion. The phoenix carries the prayers of the people and the smoke of incense to the gods, while the lion watches over and scrutinizes the deeds and moral integrity of those who enter the temple. After passing this spiritual checkpoint, visitors ascend further to the temple’s main gate, known as the Tam Quan, which marks the peak of the Cổ Giải Mountain, the fifth peak in the Trường Lệ mountain range. Here, the temple venerates the one-legged god, known as "Độc Cước Sơn Tiêu" or "Độc Cước Chân Nhân Thượng Đẳng Thần" (The One-Legged Mountain Deity), a guardian spirit who protected the people of Sầm Sơn, ensuring their prosperity and safety.

The Sacred Space of Độc Cước Temple

The temple is divided into three sections: on the left is the Mother Goddess shrine, to the right is the Wind-Receiving Pagoda, and the central area, past the Tam Quan gate, houses the altar of the One-Legged God.
Originally built with bamboo and thatched roofs during the Trần Dynasty, the temple underwent a significant transformation during the reign of King Hồng Đức (Lê Thánh Tông). After a devastating storm, a large chò tree drifted ashore, and the locals believed that the god had sent the tree to build a new temple. They then commissioned carpenters to construct the structure. Over the centuries, the temple has undergone multiple restorations, and despite being located in a harsh coastal environment, it has withstood the test of time, surviving wars and natural disasters. Remarkably, this is one of the few temples in Thanh Hoa that survived the dismantling during the cultural revolution.

In 1996, after the temple had deteriorated significantly, the family of Thiều Thị Khoa from Đông Sơn Ward in Thanh Hoa City donated funds for the restoration of the temple and its main gate. In August 2006, the local government officially began a comprehensive renovation of the temple, completed in April 2007 by the Hanoi Cultural Heritage Restoration Company, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Sầm Sơn tourism.

A Historical Landmark of Spiritual Importance

The temple’s architecture follows traditional styles with a low structure, large wooden columns, and ancient roof tiles, shaped like the character "Đinh" (resembling a hoe in folk architecture). The main altar is positioned directly aligned with the central and front halls, facing southwest, which is considered the most stable direction according to ancient beliefs, providing protection against storms from the sea. The statue of the One-Legged God is also placed in this direction, symbolizing the deity's strength in guarding the peaceful and prosperous lives of the people.

As the protector god of Sầm Sơn, the One-Legged God is worshipped as a village guardian, a spirit believed to embody the ancient Vietnamese belief in the sacredness of nature—"Vạn vật hữu linh" (all things have souls). Locals honor stones, tree roots, and the gods of nature, believing these spirits bring prosperity and protection.
 

Độc Cước Temple

The One-Legged God is venerated in temples from Quảng Ninh to Nghệ Tĩnh, especially in coastal regions and riverbanks, and along major highways in the northern plains. There are more than 300 sites dedicated to this deity across the country. However, Độc Cước Temple in Sầm Sơn is regarded as the origin of this belief, the very first shrine dedicated to the One-Legged God in Vietnam. This sacred site remains a place of pilgrimage for those seeking the god’s protection for safe and bountiful journeys, particularly for fishermen.

On April 27, 1962, Độc Cước Temple was officially recognized as a national historical and cultural site by the Ministry of Culture and Information, entering the national cultural heritage registry. In 1990, it was further designated as part of the Sầm Sơn heritage site, including notable landmarks such as Trống Mái Rock, Tô Hiến Thành Temple, and Cô Tiên Temple. Today, Độc Cước Temple remains a must-visit spiritual destination for tourists coming to Sầm Sơn.

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Nestled atop Cổ Giải Mountain (also known as the giant sea turtle mountain) in the Trường Lệ range, Sầm Sơn City, Độc Cước Temple is a historic site that, while not grand in size, captivates visitors with its ancient charm, moss-covered walls, and mystical ambiance. This temple draws a large number of locals and tourists, especially during holidays and festivals, who come to pay their respects and offer incense.
Visitors to Độc Cước Temple ascend 50 stone steps, passing through the "Tứ Trụ Kính Thiên" gate (Four Pillars of the Heavenly Watch), symbolizing the cosmic axes that channel divine energy from above down to the earthly realm. Atop the pillars are intricate carvings of a phoenix and a guardian lion. The phoenix carries the prayers of the people and the smoke of incense to the gods, while the lion watches over and scrutinizes the deeds and moral integrity of those who enter the temple. After passing this spiritual checkpoint, visitors ascend further to the temple’s main gate, known as the Tam Quan, which marks the peak of the Cổ Giải Mountain, the fifth peak in the Trường Lệ mountain range. Here, the temple venerates the one-legged god, known as "Độc Cước Sơn Tiêu" or "Độc Cước Chân Nhân Thượng Đẳng Thần" (The One-Legged Mountain Deity), a guardian spirit who protected the people of Sầm Sơn, ensuring their prosperity and safety.
 

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