National Cultural and Historical Monument - Sòng Sơn Temple

21/12/2024 37 0

Traveling along National Route 1A from Hanoi to Central Viet Nam, once passing through Ninh Bình Province, visitors arrive at Bắc Sơn Ward in Bỉm Sơn Town to visit the Sòng Sơn Temple, a sacred site dedicated to the worship of the goddess Vân Hương - Liễu Hạnh Công Chúa - and the Holy Mother Liễu Hạnh.

Sòng Sơn Temple - A Famous National Historical Monument in Thanh Region

The exact year when Sòng Sơn Temple was established remains uncertain, as no definitive historical records have been found. According to a local legend from Cổ Đam Village, during the reign of King Vĩnh Tộ of the Lê Dynasty (1619-1628), an elderly man from the village was visited in a dream by the goddess Liễu Hạnh. She entered his soul and commanded, 'Tell the villagers to build me a temple where I may reside, and I will grant my blessings.' Obeying the goddess's divine instructions, one morning at the close of the first lunar month, the elderly man took a bamboo stick to the site of Sòng Sơn Temple. He planted it in the ground, lit incense, and prayed, 'If this bamboo grows and flourishes, we will choose this land to construct a temple in your honor.' Soon after, the bamboo sprouted, grew vigorously, and formed a thriving clump. The villagers believed that the goddess Liễu Hạnh had manifested here, and they began raising funds to construct a temple beside the sacred bamboo grove.

The temple was restored during the Cảnh Hưng period of King Lê Hiển Tông’s reign (1740–1786), in the sixth year of the Duy Tân reign (1912), in the fourth year of the Khải Định reign (1919), in the third year of the Bảo Đại reign (1928), and again in 1939. In 1993, it was recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Information as a National Historical and Cultural Monument.

Sòng Sơn Temple is dedicated to the worship of the Goddess Vân Hương – also known as the Holy Mother Liễu Hạnh – one of the four Immortal Saints of the Vietnamese people. The temple also enshrines the worship of the Hoàng Lords and the National Hero Trần Hưng Đạo. According to the "Truyền kỳ tân phả" (New Chronicles), Liễu Hạnh was the Second Immortal Goddess Quỳnh Nương, the daughter of the Jade Emperor. After accidentally dropping a sacred cup during a heavenly court ceremony, she was exiled to the mortal world and reincarnated into the family of the Lê clan in Vân Cát village, An Thái commune, Thiên Bản district, Nghĩa Hưng prefecture (now Vụ Bản district, Nam Định province), where she was named Giáng Tiên. After three descents, the Goddess was granted permission by the Jade Emperor to descend to the mortal realm whenever she wished, and was no longer required to reincarnate. Possessing magical powers, the Goddess traveled across various lands, spreading her influence. She was known to punish the wicked and reward the virtuous. She aided poor students like Cống Quỳnh from Hoằng Hóa on their way to take exams, taught the people of Tam Điệp, Ninh Bình to plant mulberry trees, raise silkworms, and weave cloth. She also used her powers to help Phùng Khắc Khoan (known as Trạng Bùng) restore the Bắc Lễ Pagoda and Tiên Temple in Lạng Sơn province. She conversed with renowned scholars like Phùng Khắc Khoan, the literati Ngô, and scholar Lý from Tây Hồ (Hà Nội). Later, she rode on clouds to retreat and meditate in the Sóc mountain range of Nghệ An province.

The Immortal Goddess was honored by the imperial court with several titles: Mã Hoàng Công Chúa (Princess Mã), Chế thắng Hòa Diệu Đại Vương (Great King of Peace and Victory), and Thượng thượng đẳng phúc thần (Supreme Deity of Blessings). It can be said that the Goddess Liễu Hạnh descended to the mortal realm not only to seek personal happiness, but to fulfill a sacred and noble mission: to encourage goodness, eradicate evil, bless the virtuous, punish the wicked, and support the nation and its people. For this reason, temples dedicated to the Holy Mother have been established throughout the country. Among the many temples honoring the Holy Mother Liễu Hạnh, Sòng Sơn Temple remains the most majestic and sacred, as it is the place where the Holy Mother manifested her divinity.

Vọng Cảnh Pavilion

The Sòng Sơn Temple Festival is held annually in the third lunar month, attracting a large number of pilgrims from all over to pay homage, pray, and learn about the history and culture of the temple.

With its spacious landscape, serene atmosphere, and profound spiritual significance, Sòng Sơn Temple is a must-visit destination for those interested in exploring the cultural and religious heritage of the Vietnamese people. The temple is not only a sacred spiritual place but also a source of pride for the people of Thanh region, preserving ancient stories and historical traditions.

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