Cuong Temple Festival - returning to the roots

(Baonghean) - Every year, in the middle of the second lunar month, visitors from all over the world flock to the Cuong Temple Festival. This is a unique festival, imbued with the historical and cultural traditions of the coastal region, an opportunity for people and visitors from everywhere to return to their roots, respectfully offering incense to commemorate Thuc An Duong Vuong - who had great merit in uniting the tribes in the North of our country to defeat the Qin invaders.

People and tourists come to Cuong Temple Festival (Dien Chau).

Cuong Temple worships King An Duong Vuong, located on Mo Da Mountain, close to National Highway 1A, in Dien An Commune (Dien Chau). The temple is associated with legends and stories that have been passed down from generation to generation.

According to legend, An Duong Vuong, whose name was Thuc Phan, was an 18th generation descendant of King Hung. He was a man of extraordinary strength and intelligence. Thuc Phan had great merit in uniting the northern tribes of our country to defeat the invading army of the Qin Dynasty. In the triumphal ceremony, Thuc Phan was honored to the throne, took the title of An Duong Vuong and changed the country's name to Au Lac, moved the capital from Phong Chau to Co Loa, and reigned for 50 years (from 257 - 208 BC).

Sacrificial ceremony

...Remembering Cuong Temple is remembering the origin, the heroic historical period of the nation along with the myths and legends about "The Holy Manifestation", "Dau Can Mountain"; "The Immortal Chessboard", "The Oath of Petrification"; "The Forging Master"... are the feelings and the eternally valuable lessons for future generations.

In 1995, a crane flew back to the temple on the opening day of the Cuong Temple Festival. During the 1996 festival, a dead whale washed up on Cua Hien beach. People believed that the crane was the incarnation of Princess My Chau; the dead whale washed up on the beach was proof of the tragic death of An Duong Vuong. These events made Cuong Temple even more mysterious and sacred, attracting people from near and far to offer incense to pray for national peace and prosperity, and for a happy and prosperous family. Every month, on the first and fifteenth of the lunar month, the people of Dien Chau beach prepared offerings to present to King An Duong Vuong and lit the incense.

In particular, the Cuong Temple Festival has become a spiritual activity for the people of Dien Chau, the people of Nghe An and tourists from all over. Fisherman Nguyen Dinh Trung, hamlet 6, Dien Bich commune confided: "Every year, my family often prepares a tray of food with sea products to offer to King An Duong Vuong, to express gratitude, to pray for a lucky and peaceful new year, for smooth sailing and a full hold of silver fish."

Procession at Cuong Temple Festival.

During the festival days (from the 13th to the 16th of the lunar calendar), around the area at the foot of Mo Da mountain, the communal house yard and the festival yard will take place traditional folk games such as: throwing con, swing, wrestling, cockfighting, crossbow shooting, walking on the bridge, chess, card chess... Cultural exchange activities of cultural villages, ca tru clubs, folk songs, vi giam...

Coming to Cuong Temple, visitors can visit Cua Hien - Xuan Duong Lake - Dien Thanh Beach Tourist Area, Co Am Pagoda - Ho Linh Son - Hai Vai Cliff reflecting on the poetic Bung River. Visit the famous landscapes in Dien Chau to understand more about the land and people, a place with a history of more than 1,380 years of civilization, to reflect together and remind each other to preserve, conserve and promote the value of cultural heritages.

Mr. Pham Van Thanh, Vice Chairman of Dien Chau District People's Committee, Head of the Organizing Committee of Cuong Temple Festival said: "Up to this point, the preparations for the Festival have been completed. Construction items in the relic site have been promptly maintained by maintenance units; public works, toilets, electricity and water systems have all been renovated; environmental sanitation has been ensured, the road from Xuan Ai communal house to Cuong temple has been hung with banners and flags; forces have been mobilized to ensure order, safety, civilization and economy."

Thu Huong