The Temple of Đức Thánh Trần Hưng Đạo

23/12/2024 58 1
The Temple of Đức Thánh Trần Hưng Đạo was built in the 18th century in the area now at 63 Ngô Từ, Lam Sơn Ward, Thanh Hóa City. It is one of the structures honoring the great contributions of Trần Hưng Đạo, the legendary general of the Vietnamese people during the resistance against the Yuan-Mongol invasion. Having undergone several repairs and restorations, the temple still retains its characteristic architecture, blending tradition with reverence.
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The Temple of Đức Thánh Trần Hưng Đạo - Cultural and Historical Site

The Temple of Đức Thánh Trần Hưng Đạo was built in the 18th century in the area now at 63 Ngô Từ, Lam Sơn Ward, Thanh Hóa City. It is one of the structures honoring the great contributions of Trần Hưng Đạo, the legendary general of the Vietnamese people during the resistance against the Yuan-Mongol invasion. Having undergone several repairs and restorations, the temple still retains its characteristic architecture, blending tradition with reverence.

Built in the 18th century , the temple originally played as a site to honor the national heroes, especially Đức Thánh Trần Hưng Đạo. However, in 1954, during the period of land clearance for the resistance war, the people of Bào Giang Village had to demolish the temple to use the land for building a timber workshop. In 1976, the Temple of Đức Thánh Trần Hưng Đạo was restored. Since then, the temple has been renovated several times but still maintains the appearance of its original architecture, with distinctive features of traditional culture.

The Front Courtyard of the Temple

The temple’s gate is built in the traditional “tam quan” style, consisting of a main gate and two side gates. The main gate, with the image of “two dragons playing with the moon” on its roof, is only opened on the 15th and 30th of each lunar month and during major festivals throughout the year. The two side gates are opened regularly to welcome visitors from all over. Standing out in front of the temple are four large Chinese characters: Hưng Đạo Đại Vương.

The Gate of the Temple on Regular Days

The two main gate columns feature couplets in Chinese characters, expressing the solemnity and reverence for the deity worshipped at the temple. In front of the temple courtyard, there are two stone lion-like statues called "nghê," sitting in a guarding position, symbolizing the protection and sacredness of the worship place.

The inner sanctum (also known as the rear hall) is the main worship area of the temple where a bronze statue of Trần Hưng Đạo is placed. The statue is cast in a seated position on a dragon throne, holding a military book in one hand and a silver sword upright in the other, embodying the image of a heroic and skilled general in warfare.

On the left side of the statue is the altar for two princesses, including Princess Trinh (the wife of Trần Nhân Tôn) and Princess Nguyễn (the wife of Phạm Ngũ Lão). On the right side is the altar for four princes of Trần Hưng Đạo: Hưng Võ Vương Quốc Hiển, Hưng Hiến Vương Quốc Uy, Hưng Nhượng Vương Quốc Tảng, and Hưng Trí Vương Quốc Nghiễn.

The Worship Area

The horizontal wooden plaque above the statue of Trần Hưng Đạo inscribes the characters "Nam Quốc Cơ Công" (the contributions of building the foundation of the country), reflecting Trần Hưng Đạo's role in protecting and developing the nation. On the left and right of the plaque are the characters "Đại nghĩa" (great righteousness) and "Chí trung" (wholehearted loyalty), representing the noble virtues of the general in the war to protect the country.

Inside the inner sanctum, besides the worship statues, there are items such as flags, umbrellas, and the "bát bửu" (eight precious items) — essential offerings in traditional festivals. These items contribute to the solemn and sacred atmosphere during the ceremonies and commemorations.

The Buddhist Worship Area

The Temple of Đức Thánh Trần Hưng Đạo is a place for cultural activities and spiritual worship as well as an ideal location for visitors to learn about the history, culture, and traditions of the Vietnamese people. Annually, the temple attracts thousands of visitors, from Buddhists to history enthusiasts, all seeking to connect with the roots of the nation and honor the contributions of national heroes. With its cultural and historical values preserved, in 1994.

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