Sacred Festival at Duc Hoang Temple

(Baonghean) - Every year, from January 30th to February 1st (lunar calendar), people from all over come to attend the Duc Hoang Temple Festival in Phuc Thanh commune (Yen Thanh district). Before the opening ceremony, the festival activities take place with many events reflecting the region's cultural identity, conducted safely and economically, attracting a large number of local people and tourists from all over.

Procession at Duc Hoang Temple, Phuc Thanh commune (Yen Thanh district). Photo: PV

A mark of historical value

Historical records show that the Duc Hoang Temple was built during the Tran Dynasty, dedicated to Sat Hai Dai Vuong Hoang Ta Thon (born on April 15, 1254, into a fishing family in Van Phan village, Dong Thanh district; now Dien Van commune, Dien Chau district). Legend says that Hoang Ta Thon was an intelligent, handsome young man with excellent swimming skills. When the country was invaded by the Mongol army, Hoang Ta Thon heeded the call of the court and went to fight the invaders. He was recommended to meet Hung Dao Vuong, who then recruited him into the elite naval army and further trained him in military strategy and tactics.

In late 1287, when the Mongol invaders returned for their third invasion of Dai Viet, Hoang Ta Thon was entrusted with commanding tens of thousands of naval troops and ships. Thanks to his brilliant tactics, he led his army in an ambush that routed the Mongol forces on the Bach Dang River. For this glorious victory, the King bestowed upon him the title "Great General of the Coastal Defense" and assigned him the task of commanding the army defending the coastal region.

However, during a patrol of the sea route in Hoang Hoa, Thanh Hoa province, he unfortunately fell ill and died suddenly. Upon hearing the news, the imperial court was deeply saddened and sent a dragon boat to transport his remains back to his hometown for burial and to erect a temple in his honor. They also posthumously bestowed upon him the title "Loyal and courageous protector of the nation and people, the Great General of the Sea, Thien Bong, Marshal of the Imperial Court," and issued a decree ordering many localities to build temples in his honor.

The Duc Hoang Temple historical and cultural site – one of the destinations for spiritual and cultural significance. (Photo: Archival image)

Accordingly, Duc Hoang Temple (Phuc Thanh commune, Yen Thanh district) was built in a prime location with beautiful natural scenery. The temple is considered one of the "Eight Scenic Views of Dong Thanh" (the eight most beautiful sights of Dong Thanh) due to its majestic and ancient surroundings. The temple was classified as a National Historical Monument by the Ministry of Culture and Information according to Decision No. 95/QD-BVHTT dated January 24, 1998. Every year, the Duc Hoang Temple Festival is held on January 30th and February 1st (lunar calendar) to educate future generations to always remember the tradition of gratitude and remembrance of the merits of Sat Hai Dai Vuong Hoang Ta Thon and other deities who contributed to the nation and its people.

Promoting traditional values

Phuc Thanh is a mountainous commune located 7km from the center of Yen Thanh district. Over the years, in accordance with Decision No. 308/2005/QD-TTg dated November 25, 2005, of the Prime Minister on implementing civilized practices in weddings, funerals, and festivals, and with the guidance and support of the former Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the district, the People's Committee of Phuc Thanh commune has successfully organized the Duc Hoang Temple Festival annually, receiving recognition and high praise from people both within and outside the region.

The Duc Hoang Temple Festival is a beautiful tradition that contributes to preserving and promoting the valuable cultural aspects of the site and meeting the spiritual and cultural needs of the local people. This year's Duc Hoang Temple Festival takes place over three days, starting from the 29th day of the first lunar month and the 1st and 2nd days of the second lunar month (February 25-27, 2017), with many activities reflecting the rich cultural identity of the region. Visitors from all over come to pay their respects and visit, making it a festival of district and provincial scale.

Traditional boat racing at the Duc Hoang Temple Festival. (Archival photo)

The festival is divided into two parts by the organizing committee: the ceremonial part and the festive part. The ceremonial part has been completed according to the script, solemnly and respectfully preserving the beauty of the rituals; the festive part features a variety of activities at the historical site such as: the finals of the Yen Thanh district men's volleyball tournament, friendly women's volleyball matches between strong teams in the district; traditional wrestling, stick pushing, tug-of-war, drumming competition between clans, boat racing, cockfighting, wrestling, human chess, swinging, wrestling, fishing, duck catching, jump rope, rice cooking, walking on a bridge... and a new addition: a competition for the best singing of the crested myna bird.

To ensure the safety of visitors, the Organizing Committee of the Duc Hoang Temple Festival has established a department responsible for food safety and hygiene, environmental sanitation, fire prevention, and security to ensure the festival runs safely and orderly, as well as to create the most favorable conditions for visitors before, during, and after the festival. In particular, they aim to prevent activities that exploit religious beliefs, superstition, or the burning of votive paper.

To ensure that the Duc Hoang Temple Festival truly becomes a cultural event for people throughout the region, and to promote its inherent values, in addition to organizing the festival well, every year, Yen Thanh district and Phuc Thanh commune invest budget in building the environmental landscape, repairing and upgrading dilapidated facilities, clearing the area around the lotus pond to create roads for tourists to visit, building sports facilities to serve the festival such as expanding the stadium, festival grounds, flag square, procession stage, enclosed restrooms for festival attendees, renovating the lighting system, building an additional power station specifically for the historical site, a clean water system, and planting more trees...

Wrestling competition at the Duc Hoang Temple Festival. Photo: PV

At the Duc Hoang Temple Festival, visitors can also explore the temples of Tran Dang Dinh, Dinh Huong, Ca, De Tam, Quang, Len, Vu Ky, the tomb of Mac Phuc Thanh, Thien Tao Pagoda; and the Qua Nai ecological area nestled in the countryside with its primeval forest... This year, the number of visitors to the Duc Hoang Temple Festival is much higher than in previous years.

Dinh Van Duong