Cua Luy Temple - the pride of Anh Son region.

(Baonghean.vn) - In Hoa Son commune, Anh Son district, there is a temple nestled at the foot of a rocky mountain, with a moss-covered, solemn appearance. In front of the temple is a range of rocky mountains running along the west. Perhaps, situated at the junction between the two mountain ranges like a natural fortress, the temple is named Cua Luy (Cave Fortress)?

For generations, Cua Luy Temple has been a source of pride for the people of Hoa Son region. This pride has been further amplified recently when the temple was recognized as a historical and cultural relic by the People's Committee of Nghe An province.

According to available documents, the Cửa Lũy Temple was built by the local people in the 15th century. During the Lam Sơn Uprising, after leading the rebel army along the mountain road into Nghệ An and quickly capturing Trà Lân citadel (the area of ​​Con Cuông today), Lê Lợi sent a general surnamed Vương to lead an army across the Cả River to defend the Kim Nhan mountain region (the area of ​​Anh Sơn district today). This was a strategically important mountainous area with only a few access points, of which Cửa Lũy was the most crucial.



The Cửa Lũy Temple stands silently at the foot of a high mountain.

Due to the arduous march, harsh living conditions, constant fighting against the enemy, and the unsuitable climate, many soldiers fell ill, and epidemics frequently broke out in the camp. Under General Wang's command was a female physician who wholeheartedly cared for the soldiers, diligently treating their illnesses and advising them on maintaining their health. To ensure a sufficient supply of medicine, she often braved the elements, rain or shine, to trek alone through the forest in search of precious medicinal herbs. One day, while searching for herbs alone, she collapsed from exhaustion and leaned against an ancient tree by the roadside, never to rise again.

When she didn't return, the soldiers fanned out in all directions to search for her. She was brought back to the camp, lying motionless in a hammock, her hand still clutching a handful of medicinal leaves. Deeply saddened by the loss of the devoted female physician, General Wang ordered her burial in a field in the area, and from then on, the soldiers referred to it as the Princess's Tomb. One time, General Wang and his soldiers went to visit her grave. On the way, they encountered a white rabbit that leaped from the base of an ancient tree, circled the group several times, then advanced forward, raising its two legs as if to block their path, before disappearing. Sensing this might be an ominous sign, General Wang ordered his soldiers to turn back and planned a vigilant patrol and guard. The next morning, they captured a group of Ming scouts who confessed to having been ordered to assassinate General Wang. General Vuong believed that the white rabbit was the female physician princess who had appeared to save his life, so he ordered his troops to build a temple right under the ancient tree where the white rabbit appeared. He named the temple Luỹ Sơn (commonly known as Cửa Luỹ Temple), and from then on, soldiers and people referred to her as the White-Clothed Princess.

When General Vuong passed away, the soldiers and people erected a temple on a mound not far from Cua Luy Temple, calling it Duc Vuong Temple (also known as Duc Ong Temple). Later, because Duc Vuong Temple was surrounded by swamps, making it inconvenient for people to visit and offer incense, the people moved his ancestral tablet to be worshipped together at Cua Luy Temple. According to ancient stories, the female physician was later bestowed the title of Holy Mother of Luy Son by Emperor Minh Mang, and later by Emperor Khai Dinh, she was elevated to the rank of Duc Bao Trung Hung Thuong Dang Than (Upper-Class Deity of Restoration). Cua Luy Temple is very sacred, with incense smoke rising year-round. In particular, those who come to pray for the Holy Mother's help to those with sick family members are said to receive her assistance.

During the years when the US Air Force escalated its bombing campaign against North Vietnam, the Cua Luy Temple was repeatedly damaged by bombs and shelling. Mrs. Tran Thi Chau, originally from Vinh City, evacuated here with her husband, a power plant worker. Hearing about the temple's sacredness, she bought bamboo and hired people to rebuild it. When peace was restored, Mrs. Tran Thi Chau proceeded with the necessary paperwork to obtain approval from relevant authorities to restore the Cua Luy Temple. The funding for the restoration came primarily from her family's charitable donations.

It is known that Anh Son district is currently planning to restore, renovate, upgrade, and expand the scale of Cua Luy Temple to be worthy of its status as a historical and cultural relic and to fulfill the aspirations of the people in the region.

Tuong Anh