Trung Tuc Vuong Le Lai Temple – An attractive tourists destination

23/12/2024 538 0

The Sacred Grounds of the Temple of Lê Lai

The Temple of Trung Túc Vương Lê Lai ((Trung Tuc Vuong is an honorific title given to Lê Lai by the king to recognize his heroic sacrifice. It means The Faithful and Respectful Lord) is located in Tép village, Ngọc Lặc district, approximately one kilometer from the Ho Chi Minh Highway and 60 kilometers to the west of Thanh Hóa City, along National Route 47. This temple honors King Lê Lai, a distinguished native of Tép village. Historically, Tép village, situated in the Kiên Thọ commune, was formerly known as Dựng Tú, Đức Giang district , Thanh Hóa Province.

Legend has it that once, while Lê Lợi was recruiting soldiers across a stream near the village, the weather was unbearably hot. He waded into the stream to wash his feet, and the water was so full of shrimp that they clung to his legs. As a result, Lê Lợi named the village Tép (Shrimp Village).

In 1415, Lê Lai, alongside Lê Lợi and 18 other generals, participated in the Oath of the Nhai Valley, vowing to live and die together in their resolve to drive out the invading Minh forces. Lê Lai was granted the title of Quan Nội Hầu, the Chief Administrator of the Đô Tổng Quản region.

By 1418, the Lam Sơn insurgents, still a small and under-equipped force, often found themselves surrounded and besieged by the Ming army, and their situation grew increasingly dire. On one occasion, when the insurgents were trapped by the Ming forces, Lê Lai heroically agreed to impersonate Lê Lợi. As a result, he was captured by the enemy and sentenced to execution, which ultimately allowed Lê Lợi to escape.

When the Lam Sơn uprising finally triumphed, Lê Lợi ascended to the throne as Emperor. As part of the recognition of the sacrifices made during the struggle, Lê Lai was posthumously honored with the title of Trung Túc Vương (King of Loyalty) and a temple was established in his name to forever commemorate his contributions.

After many ups and downs of history, the temple still retains its rare and unique beauty

The temple features a harmonious architectural design with two 丁-shaped structures, situated on a hill garden facing southeast. According to feng shui principles, this direction is considered sacred, representing wisdom and intellect. The land formation, resembling the “dragon guarding and tiger lying down” configuration, creates a spacious, open environment. The temple was originally constructed in the 7th year of the Thái Hòa reign during the Lê Nhân Tông dynasty (1450). In the 14th year of the Bảo Đại reign (1939), it underwent restoration, during which it was rebuilt with bricks, featuring tiled roofs, and its columns, beams, and rafters were crafted from lim wood. After enduring many upheavals, in 1997, the temple was further restored by the Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism), with the front hall being rebuilt on its original foundation in the 丁 architectural style. The entire structure was assembled with a high level of precision, utilizing a column-and-beam system. The decorative carvings primarily depict motifs of clouds, water, and stylized flowers and foliage.

Adjacent to the Trung Túc Vương Lê Lai Temple is the Temple dedicated to Đức Chúa Bà Nương A Thiện, the wife of Lê Lai (also known as the Mother Temple). The structure follows the 丁 architectural style, with the front hall and inner sanctum seamlessly connected. The walls are constructed from thick bricks and feature three arches, adorned with two dragons surrounding the moon and phoenixes in flight, interspersed with other intricate patterns. The gable ends are embellished with carved images of tigers, and the building’s roof trusses rest simply on the walls, predominantly made of lim wood, with tiled roofing.

Annually, the Tép Temple Festival is celebrated on the 8th day of the first lunar month and the 21st day of the 8th lunar month, in solemn remembrance of the heroic figure who made significant contributions to the nation's fight against the Ming invaders, safeguarding the country.

Le Lai Temple Festival (Image: collected)

Through numerous restorations and renovations, the temple now presents a more dignified appearance than ever before. With its historical, architectural, and cultural significance, the Trung Túc Vương Lê Lai Temple has been recognized as a National Historical and Cultural Site.

Strategically located near major roads and close to the Thọ Xuân Airport, the Trung Túc Vương Lê Lai Temple is gradually becoming one of the leading tourist destinations in Thanh Hoa.

Related Post