Visit Lanh Giang Temple
Lanh Giang Temple has a good location picked by past generations. Its topographic elements bring auspices and both feng shui and all five elements (metal, wood, water, fire, and earth) are present. With its good location, Lanh Giang Temple has been maintained by the locals as a unique cultural space which are both traditional and contemporary across generations.
Cultural Space of Distinction
As a regional religious center, Lanh Giang Temple is a large-scale architectural work. It is situated on a high, wide, flat, and open piece of land which is described as “Kết duyên cơ – Minh đường tụ thủy, tả Thanh Long – hữu Bạch Hổ”. This means that it looks over a big lake at the front, which reminds one of the royal meeting hall – an indication of concentrated blessings.
Lanh Giang was constructed a long time ago. It was repaired and renovated many times in different feudal dynasties. The last renovation was completed in the 18th year of Bao Dai (1943). The east-facing temple consists of three buildings (Front Hall, Central Hall, and Rear Hall) and a total of fourteen compartments, laid out in the shape of the character “工”. On the sides of the temple lie the Shrine of the Mistress and the Shrine of the Master and the two rows of reception halls, laid out in the shape of the character 工 in the center and to the shape of the character 国 (which means “country”) on the outside.
Front Hall
Central Hall
Rear Hall
The Rear Hall is attached to the Central Hall using the sophisticated “giao mái, bắt vần” (connected roofs and harmonized architectural design) technique. The five compartments of the Rear Hall are connected by unique curved rafters. The Rear Hall is roofed with mussel-scale tiles. The main ridge is a straight line of plastered bricks, in the middle of which is the roof centerpiece of two dragons facing the sun. The ridge ends are decorated with the common motif “long hàm thọ” (dragons swallowing the character 寿 (longevity)). Inside are altars of the King of Eight Seas and the three great generals serving under the reign of Hung King (Hùng Duệ Vương). The Rear Hall is also where many valuable artifacts are preserved. Despite being a new construction, the Rear Hall adds to the grand scale of the temple.
The Hall of Mother Goddess
Halls of Civil Mandarins and Military Mandarins (Ta Vu, Huu Vu)
This is where visitors are received and prepare their offerings. These are two vertical rows of buildings and each consists of five compartments and features simple gables. They stretch from the Front Hall to the Rear Hall of the temple on both sides.
The Shrine of the Mistress and the Shrine of the Master (Lau Co, Lau Cau)
These are two small units opposite to each other and next to the Front Hall. They are squared up and feature eight double-eaved roofs. Phoenix, dragon and foliage patterns are embossed on the outside. Inside are the statues of the Mistress and of the Mister in a sitting position, which are placed inside edicule and on crimsoned and gilded altar tables. The two shrines were recently restored to meet the demand of local worshipers and visitors from all over the country.