(Baonghean.vn) -Hieu Village Temple (Hai Thanh block, Nghi Hai ward, Cua Lo town) is the temple that worships the most whales in Nghe An. With a history of more than 300 years, this place preserves the bones and worships 85 whale graves - the guardian deity of the residents of Cua Hoi coastal area.
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| Hieu Village Temple was built during the Le Dynasty. The temple is where the coastal residents of Cua Hoi chose to worship gods such as Cao Son, Cao Cac, Duc Thanh Mau, and Sat Hai Dai Vuong Hoang Ta Thon. In particular, this temple also worships the whale, which is considered the god of coastal fishermen. |
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| On the right side of Lang Hieu temple is the burial site of the bones of 85 whales. |
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| Each grave is associated with a story about fishermen who found a whale carcass at sea and brought "him" back to bury and burn incense at the temple. |
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| Inside the temple is the tomb and mausoleum of the fish god. Legend has it that this is the first fish to be buried in the temple since the 19th century. In the mausoleum there is an altar, in the middle is the Fish God's tablet; near the roof there are 3 Chinese characters "Lang Than Ngu". |
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| Local people say that in the past, in Cua Hoi area, a whale as big as a ship often appeared, saving many fishermen in distress. When he died, his body drifted to shore, and fishermen used 30 pairs of mats to cover his body, but it was not enough to cover his body. His funeral was very grand. Later, his skeleton was buried in the main mausoleum of the Ngu Ong cemetery next to Lang Hieu temple. |
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| To pay tribute to the wise men and the divine fish who have contributed to the fishermen.Every year, Nghi Hai people organize the Hieu Village Temple Festival, attracting many locals and tourists to participate. |
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| Hieu Village Temple Festival is a long-standing belief preserved by successive generations. |
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| The festival is also an opportunity for local fishermen to thank the gods for their blessings and pray for favorable weather and a bountiful seafood harvest. |
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| The Hieu Village Temple Festival cannot be without the palanquin procession down to the boat dock. |
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| The fishing ceremony also attracts many fishing boats of fishermen in the ward to participate. |
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| In the belief of Nghi Hai residents, each time a whale dies, it means that "he" has sacrificed himself to save a boat. Therefore, when fishermen discover a drifting whale, they bring it ashore for a proper burial and incense offering. Any boat owners who directly rescue "he" will have to mourn for 2 years. However, for fishermen, discovering a whale's body is also a sign of good luck. |
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| Recently (April 8), Mr. Nguyen Huu Hoa's boat (Tan Nho Block, Nghi Hai Ward, Cua Lo Town) discovered a whale carcass drifting near Cua Hoi inlet and salvaged it and brought it to the temple for burial according to custom. |
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| For each ship owner, preparing all the offerings to pray for good fishing and worship the fish god is also a way for them to seek spiritual stability before each trip. |
Wang Yun
