Groundbreaking ceremony of the main temple of the Qua Son Temple historical and cultural relic

On the morning of January 10 (December 16, year of the Pig), the District Party Committee and People's Committee of Do Luong district organized the groundbreaking ceremony for the main temple at the Qua Son Temple historical and cultural relic, Boi Son commune.

Attending the ceremony were comrades: Pham Thi Hong Toan - Member of the Provincial Party Executive Committee, Editor-in-Chief of Nghe An Newspaper; Ngoc Kim Nam - Member of the Provincial Party Executive Committee, Secretary of Do Luong District Party Committee; Phung Thanh Vinh - Deputy Secretary of District Party Committee, Chairman of Do Luong District People's Committee.

Comrade Ngoc Kim Nam - Secretary of Do Luong District Party Committee offers incense at the tomb of Uy Minh Vuong Ly Nhat Quang. Photo: Thanh Duy

The main Temple project includes: Upper Temple, Middle Temple and Lower Temple, with a total investment of nearly 10.4 billion VND, expected to be completed within 12 months from the commencement date.

This is an important component of the Project to Preserve and Restore the Historical and Cultural Relic of Qua Son Temple, Do Luong District, approved by the People's Committee of Nghe An Province in Decision No. 3771/QD-UBND dated September 25, 2019 with a total investment of more than 77.6 billion VND.

Previously, the items including Uy Minh Vuong Ly Nhat Quang's Tomb and Nghi Mon Ngoai had been completed. All funding for the project was basically socialized.

Delegates respectfully offered incense at the tomb of Uy Minh Vuong Ly Nhat Quang, the left and right main halls of Qua Son Temple and performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the main Temple.

Comrade Pham Thi Hong Toan - Editor-in-Chief of Nghe An Newspaper and Chairman of Do Luong District People's Committee Phung Thanh Vinh offered incense at the tomb of Uy Minh Vuong Ly Nhat Quang. Photo: Thanh Duy

Qua Son Temple is located in Boi Son Commune, Do Luong District. This is one of the "four sacred temples" - the four most sacred temples in Nghe An. The temple was built to worship Uy Minh Vuong Ly Nhat Quang (the 8th Prince of King Ly Cong Uan), who was the governor of Nghe An from 1041 to 1057.

During his 16 years as district governor, Uy Minh Vuong Ly Nhat Quang achieved many glorious achievements: fighting the enemy and defending the border, building Nghe An into a prosperous region with simple customs, hard-working and brave people, a reliable base of the royal court.

Delegates offer incense in front of the main hall of Qua Son Temple. Photo: Thanh Duy

With his merits and contributions, after his death, Uy Minh Vuong Ly Nhat Quang was commemorated by the people of Nghe An and Ha Tinh with many temples built, the main temple of which is today's Qua Son temple.

The ancient Qua Son Temple was massive, majestic, and solemn with 7 buildings and 24 compartments made of ironwood. In 1952, French colonial planes bombed the Temple area, causing damage and turning it into ruins.

In 1996, with contributions from the people and support from the State budget, the Temple was restored to its current state, including the Main Hall with three buildings (Upper Hall, Middle Hall, Lower Hall) and the Left and Right wings.

Delegates perform the groundbreaking ceremony of the main temple of the Qua Son Temple historical and cultural relic. Photo: Thanh Duy

Overall perspective of Qua Son Temple after the completion of the conservation and restoration project. Photo: Thanh Duy

To preserve and maintain heritage values, demonstrate the morality of "remembering the source of water" and meet people's aspirations, the authorities have allowed the implementation of the project to preserve and restore the historical and cultural relic of Qua Son Temple, Do Luong District.

Every year, December 17 is the death anniversary of Uy Minh Vuong Ly Nhat Quang and from January 18 to 20, the Qua Son Temple Festival takes place - this is a festival that has been recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2019. Qua Son Temple was also recognized as a National Historical Relic in December 1998.