Lanh Giang Temple - Outstanding Cultural Tourist Attraction of Ha Nam
The Sino-Vietnamese name of temple is “Lảnh Giang linh từ” (the Sacred Lanh Giang). It also has folk names: “Lanh Giang Temple”, “Lanh Temple”, and “the Temple of the Third Venerable Mandarin”. This ancient sacred temple is on a vast ground adorned with a verdant canopy, harmonizing with the lotus ponds and the river wharf by the right bank of the all-year-round bountiful Red River. It is located in Yen Lac Village, Moc Nam Commune, Duy Tien Town, Ha Nam Province. Hagiography has it that Lanh Giang Temple worships the Three Water Gods during the reign of the 18th Hung King (King Hung Due Vuong) and the couple of Princess Tien Dung – Chu Dong Tu…
National Historical and Cultural Relic
Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
National Non-tangible Cultural Heritage
Remarkable Cultural Landmark
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.
History of Worshiped Figures At Lanh Giang Temple
The hagiography of the deities worshiped at Lanh Giang Temple, the remaining records of ordination, and field study findings show that Lanh Temple worships three generals serving under the reign of King Hung Due Vuong and co-worships Princess Tien Dung and her husband Chu Dong Tu.
Artifacts at Lanh Giang Temple
Main ritual in the Mother Goddess Religion
On December 1, 2016, the cultural heritage “The Practice of Worshiping the Mother Goddesses of the Three Palaces by the Vietnamese” was officially recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
