Elephant Temple: The beauty of ancient architecture

(Baonghean) - If you wish to find a moment of tranquility, admire the profound beauty, and contemplate the passage of time, please visit Voi Temple, located in the former Nhan Son village (now Hamlet 2, Quynh Hong commune - Quynh Luu district). The temple still retains its ancient charm, from its appearance, materials, patterns, to its carvings. All of this reflects the talent and aesthetic sense of the people of the past. This is why Voi Temple has been recognized by the Provincial People's Committee as a Historical and Architectural Artistic Monument.

According to the elders of Nhan Son village, the Elephant Temple is a place of worship for the deities who protected the lives of the people and for the ancestors who contributed to repelling foreign invaders and maintaining peace in the country. These include Phan Van Bai, Ho Canh Xi, and Nguyen Duy Thoi, who were instrumental in developing and building this region. These individuals were granted royal decrees by King Canh Thinh (Tay Son Dynasty) and King Tu Duc (Nguyen Dynasty) in recognition of their meritorious deeds. Located in the center of the village, with Long Son Mountain to the left and Tuong Son Mountain to the right, the temple exudes an imposing and majestic appearance. The people of Nhan Son considered the Elephant Temple a central religious site, a place where they entrusted their spiritual lives and preserved their traditional customs. Every year, the villagers here hold sacred and solemn ceremonies such as the Kỳ Yên, Kỳ Phúc, Trừ Tịch, and Khai Hạ festivals. Through these ceremonies, everyone expresses their wishes for national peace and prosperity, abundant blessings, calm seas, favorable weather, and bountiful harvests. Following the respectful and solemn ceremonies is the festival with folk games such as swinging, wrestling, ball snatching, human chess, and rice cooking. Along with that are evening performances of traditional plays and folk singing competitions, creating a vibrant village atmosphere, filling people with joy, and strengthening community solidarity.

The sacred and ancient charm of the Elephant Temple.

Throughout its centuries-long history, the Elephant Temple has undergone numerous restorations and renovations. Generations of people in Nhan Son village have taken turns caring for and offering incense at the temple. During the fierce years of the two wars against France and the United States, the Elephant Temple gradually deteriorated. Fortunately, a rare historical monument, the local people have managed to preserve three important structures: the main gate (Nghi Mon), the rear hall, and the worship hall. Although not entirely unchanged from centuries ago, these structures still exude an ancient, moss-covered beauty, evoking a sense of awe and solemnity.

The main gate soars high, adorned with intricate carvings of dragons, phoenixes, and couplets. The main hall and the sanctuary are both made of ironwood, the sturdy columns bearing the marks of time. Each carving on the rafters is the work of skilled craftsmen, meticulously crafted with great attention to detail. The incense altar and other ceremonial objects, once carefully preserved, are now displayed in their proper arrangement, further enhancing the sacred atmosphere. The steps are paved with smooth, blue stone slabs, evoking memories of a bygone era, of the generations who have passed away and joined their ancestors, who once set foot in this place. A feeling of nostalgia washes over those who have departed, and a silent resolve to remind future generations not to forget their roots, to always uphold the traditions and customs of their homeland, and to preserve the humanistic values ​​passed down by their forefathers. The spacious grounds, shaded by ancient trees, further enhance the tranquility, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere. We were quite impressed with the stone stele placed in the main hall. The stele, inscribed with Chinese characters, has remained clear even after hundreds of years. The inscription reads: “A hundred thousand years ago it was built by our ancestors; a hundred thousand years later it will be continued by their descendants. This deed, this person, will never be forgotten… Now, in the future, may there be joy and peace, divine light shines upon us, and the people enjoy prosperity. We ascend this platform to express our silent gratitude. Everyone says: Erecting this sacred platform will bring blessings from the gods for millennia, and thus we record this enduring truth in stone.” This is a reminder for generations to come…

During periods of revolutionary struggle, Voi Temple marked important historical events for the homeland and the country; it was where local Party members held meetings during the Nghe An - Thinh Hoa Soviet movement (1930-1931); it was also a place for storing military supplies and a stopping point for army units on their way to the battlefield during the wars against French and American aggression.

In 2012, the Elephant Temple was recognized by the Provincial People's Committee as a Historical and Architectural Artistic Monument. This is a source of pride for the people of Nhan Son village in particular, and Quynh Hong commune in general, because generations of ancestors have left behind a unique cultural and spiritual structure for generations to come.

Text and photos:TUONG ANH