Rậm Temple architectural relic

Recently, on December 28, 2008, with the approval of the Department of Culture, Sports & Tourism and the People's Committee of Hung Nguyen District, the People's Committee of Hung Nhan Commune solemnly organized a ceremony to receive the Certificate of National Historical and Architectural Art Monument for Ram Temple, according to the decision of the Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism.

The Ram Temple, located in Hung Nhan commune, Hung Nguyen district (Nghe An province), was started in 1831 and completed in 1832; its most recent renovation was in 1922. The temple is a place of worship for historical figures who contributed to the country and its people, such as Le Loi, Nguyen Quang Hop, and deities like Cao Son and Cao Cac. Throughout the local development, the temple has witnessed significant historical events. Scholars during the anti-French resistance and outstanding young revolutionaries like Pham Hong Thai and Le Hong Phong secretly met at the temple before going abroad to participate in revolutionary activities. During the years 1930-1931 and the August Revolution (1945), the Ram Temple served as a gathering place for revolutionary speeches and for the struggle to seize power. During the resistance against the US, the Ram Temple was used to store weapons and as a transit point for weapons transported from the North to the South by waterway on the Lam River.

The Rậm Temple is located within a complex of historical sites that includes both temples and pagodas, comprising the Inner Rậm Temple and the Outer Rậm Temple, with numerous buildings arranged in rows and columns. The complex covers a total area of ​​10,401 m2 on a high mound, surrounded on all sides by ancient trees. This elevated location, along with the lush greenery providing shade beneath the soaring, curved roofs of the temples, creates an architectural space that is both solemn and ancient.

The Inner Ram Temple complex includes the Temple Gate, the Sacred House, the Pagoda (Long Dong Tu), the Presentation House, the Right Wing, the Lower Hall, the Middle Hall, and the Upper Hall. The Outer Ram Temple complex includes the Temple Gate, the Tac Mon Gate, the Lower, Middle, and Upper Halls, and the tomb of Nguyen Quang Hop. The Inner and Outer Ram Temple gates are formed by two columns, each 5 meters high and 0.60 meters wide. The architectural structure of the columns consists of many components such as the base, the column shaft, the square-shaped base, and the artistic shapes... connected vertically. This architectural structure of the columns, with its many components, prevents them from being monotonous, while adding to the solemnity and aesthetic value of the monument.

Passing through the temple gate and entering the historical site, the Sacred House is located to the left of the front courtyard of the Inner Ram Temple. Originally, the Sacred House was in Hong Lac village near the Lam River, but in 1967 the people moved it here to avoid destruction by American bombs. To the right is Long Dong Pagoda, similar to the Sacred House, which was moved from Hong Lac village in 1968 and built along the temple entrance. The pagoda has an area of ​​9.50 m x 6.3 m, consisting of 3 bays and 2 wings. Next is the Presentation House, situated in the middle of the sacred axis; here, the Presentation House acts as a "gateway" to prevent people from going directly into the temple. Beyond these structures, we enter the main hall. The main hall of both the Inner Ram Temple and the Outer Ram Temple is arranged in a three-part layout (also called a three-part hall): Lower Hall, Middle Hall, and Upper Hall. All of the aforementioned architectural structures are the result of construction and restoration efforts. It can be said that the architectural layout of the Inner and Outer Ram Temples is one of the typical examples of traditional folk architecture. The architectural structure of the temples demonstrates scientific principles, creating strong trusses and frames capable of withstanding the forces suitable for the climate of Central Vietnam. The architectural details are linked together based on traditional carpentry techniques, in three-dimensional space, giving the temples a majestic appearance while maintaining a graceful and sturdy feel. The temples, especially the Inner Ram Temple, are elaborately carved, with many carvings on a single piece of wood with a relatively large gap, featuring many details combining raised and openwork carving, meticulously crafted down to the smallest detail. The rafters, beams, brackets, and decorative elements are intricately carved, depicting a variety of themes such as fish leaping over the dragon gate, carp transforming into dragons, dragons bringing blessings, and plum blossoms turning into dragons. All the carvings are exquisite works of art, vivid depictions of stories carved into wood by skilled artisans with fluid and refined strokes, creating lively images that avoid clumsiness and heaviness. Overall, the carvings at Den Ram, especially at Den Ram Temple, exemplify the refined craftsmanship of highly skilled artisans. Den Ram Temple is a relic that continues the art of village communal houses, a tradition thought to have ended in the late 17th century in Northern Vietnam. Therefore, studying Den Ram Temple can help us understand the transitional period between folk art and later, courtly art. Furthermore, the site preserves large calligraphic inscriptions and couplets that attest to its rich history.

Although the landscape and overall architecture of the ancient site have changed, been damaged, and lost, the remaining Ram Temple still contains great historical, cultural, and architectural artistic values. At a time when the criteria for ranking National Monuments are becoming increasingly stricter and more rigorous, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's ranking of the Ram Temple architectural and artistic monument as a National Monument is a great honor for the Party Committee and people of Hung Nguyen district in particular and Nghe An province in general. At the same time, this also places a great responsibility on local authorities at all levels to protect and promote the value of the monument in accordance with the Law on Cultural Heritage.

Nguyen Trong Cuong -(Nghe An Provincial Management Board of Historical Sites and Scenic Spots)