Dong Co Temple

20/12/2024 18 0
Narration

The Dong Co Temple is located in Yen Tho Commune, Yen Dinh District, Thanh Hoa Province. It is one of the renowned historical and cultural sites, closely associated with the worship of the Dong Co deity— the guardian god of the nation. The temple was constructed during the Ly Dynasty and served as the venue for the Trung Hieu Oath Ceremony, which encouraged officials to maintain loyalty to the king and the country.

Image: Dong Co Temple

According to legend, the Dong Co Temple was established in 2569 BCE. The temple is sacred and intertwined with stories of the Dong Co deity, a god who played a pivotal role in the construction and protection of the nation. Since the era of the Hung Kings, throughout the history of the successive dynasties of the Early Le, Ly, Tran – Ho, and Later Le, historical records have commemorated the deity's contributions in assisting the king, defending the country, and repelling foreign invaders through numerous divine manifestations and prophetic dreams.

The Dong Co Temple boasts an ancient and unique architectural style: the front hall is structured with five spans and a two-tiered roof design. Behind the front hall lies the main sanctuary, which is spacious with three spans and shares a roof with the front hall. At the far end is the rear sanctuary, nestled against the mountainside, designed compactly with a traditional architectural style. Notably, the bronze drum – a symbolic artifact of the temple – is placed in prominent positions in the front hall, middle hall, and rear sanctuary.

Image: Front Hall of the Temple

Today, the Dong Co Temple festival in Dan Ne Village continues to uphold its traditional practices, honoring the deity’s contributions and offering prayers for the prosperity of the nation, peace for the people, abundance, and the well-being of the citizens. Prior to the festival, on the 12th day of the third lunar month, the locals perform a ritual of burning the deity’s ceremonial robes. The main ceremony takes place on the 15th day of the third lunar month, attracting a large number of visitors and local residents alike.

Image: Festival at Dong Co Temple

Dong Co Temple is a significant spiritual destination, deeply reflecting the cultural and historical beauty of the heroic land of Thanh Hoa. This is the oldest temple in Thanh, recognized as a National Historical and Cultural Heritage Site in 2001.

Image source: Collected

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