The King Mai Temple (full name is the King Mai Hac De Temple) has many historical and cultural values. The temple was built by the people many centuries ago to commemorate the great contributions of King Mai Hac De (Mai Thuc Loan), Mai Thieu De (Mai Thuc Huy - son of Mai Thuc Loan) and the generals who fought to liberate the nation, escape the domination of the Tang Dynasty; build and protect the independence and autonomy of the nation within 10 years (713 - 723). The King Mai Temple includes: The mausoleum area, the temple of King Mai Hac De, Mai Thieu De in Ram valley, Hung Son mountain, Ha Long block, Nam Dan town and the King Mai Hac De Temple in the center of the ancient Sa Nam region, now in Mai Hac De block, Nam Dan town.
Along with that, there are also relics: The tomb of King Mai's mother (at De mountain, Nam Thai commune); the temple of King Mai's mother (at Con Chen cave, Nam Thai commune); Nam Son temple - Duc Ong temple, worshiping civil and military mandarins in the Van An court (at Nam Bac Son block, Nam Dan town); Mai Thieu De temple (on Dun mountain, Nam Dan town); Kha Lam communal house in the old Nam Thuong commune, now Hung Son block, Nam Dan town; Van An citadel relic in Nam Dan town. The relics form the Mai Hac De Temple relic complex - a place that preserves evidence of the heroic years of King Mai Hac De and his generals in the Hoan Chau uprising more than 13 centuries ago.
Mai Thuc Loan was born in the year of Canh Ngo (670), originally from Mai Phu village, Thien Loc district (now Mai Phu commune, Loc Ha district, Ha Tinh province). During her pregnancy, Mai Thuc Loan's mother moved to Ngoc Trung village, Dong Liet commune, Nam Duong district (now Nam Thai commune, Nam Dan district) to live. Witnessing the people's suffering due to the harsh and exploitative policies of the Tang Dynasty, with the desire to regain independence and autonomy for the nation, in the year of Quy Suu 713, Mai Thuc Loan raised the flag of uprising to overthrow the ruling apparatus established by the Tang Dynasty in Hoan Chau; liberated the entire Ai Chau (present-day Thanh Hoa) and captured Tong Binh citadel (now Hanoi capital).
The country was free of foreign invaders. Mai Thuc Loan ascended the throne, proclaimed himself Mai Hac De, and proceeded to build a government apparatus from the central court to the local level, issuing many important decrees: Abolishing taxes, fees, and fines imposed by the Tang Dynasty; ending all tribute payments for the people of the districts and counties; each village plowed its own fields, and whoever worked enjoyed them...
The Hoan Chau uprising with 10 years of independence (713 - 723) had an extremely great significance. It was an important milestone on the path of fighting for national independence after 1,000 years of Chinese domination; a powerful historical evidence, affirming the aspiration for independence and autonomy of our people against foreign invasion and domination, having the effect of encouraging and adding great strength to generations of Nghe people and the entire Vietnamese people to inherit and promote in the struggle to protect, build and develop the homeland and country over the past thousands of years.
Since its construction, King Mai Temple has gone through thousands of years of ups and downs, through many restorations and repairs, but the location of the relics has not changed. The relics are currently preserving 378 artifacts made of stone, wood, paper, porcelain, etc.; of which there are 34 valuable antiques, typically the system of royal decrees, statues, thrones, tablets, etc.
To commemorate and pay tribute to the merits of King Mai Hac De, Mai Thieu De and the generals, every year, the Party Committee, government and people of Nam Dan district solemnly organize a festival at the King Mai temple relic from the 13th to the 15th of the first lunar month. The activity contributes to promoting the historical and cultural values of the King Mai temple relic.
This year's festival is held for 3 days, February 22-24, 2024 (ie January 13-15, Giap Thin year) with many special activities. Through the festival, it aims to educate the patriotic tradition for all classes of people, increase national pride and love for the homeland. The organization of the festival also includes cultural and spiritual activities; promoting and introducing the image and unique cultural beauty of Nam Dan homeland to tourists inside and outside the province...
With that purpose and meaning, comrade Vuong Hong Thai - Member of the Standing Committee of the District Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Nam Dan district, said: The King Mai Temple Festival in 2024 continues to maintain traditional cultural and religious activities at all 4 relics (Mai Hac De's tomb and temple, Duc Ong temple, Kha Lam communal house, Mausoleum and temple of King Mai's mother, from February 22 to 24, 2024 (ie January 13 to 15, Giap Thin year). Including: water procession; opening ceremony; announcement ceremony; procession and great ceremony; opening ceremony and incense offering ceremony in memory of Emperor Mai Thuc Loan; flower lantern releasing ceremony and thanksgiving ceremony.
In the festival, there are many rich and attractive contents, imbued with the traditional cultural identity of Nam Dan. Such as organizing youth camps; traditional wrestling tournament; open men's volleyball tournament; organizing folk games, chess, cockfighting, merry-go-round...
New this year, Nam Dan district organized a cultural exchange night with mass art troupes from communes and towns in the district. Thereby, it aroused and promoted the cultural and artistic movement among the people. This year, Nam Dan district also organized an online contest to learn about the life and career of King Mai and the Hoan Chau uprising. This is an activity that contributes to preserving and promoting historical values and educating the people on traditions, patriotism, and national pride. Nam Dan district also organized booths to display, introduce, and promote local specialties, creating conditions for tourists to shop and enjoy Nam Dan's hometown products.
With careful preparation, Nam Dan district expects that people and visitors from all over the country coming to the King Mai Temple Festival in 2024 will be immersed in a vibrant cultural space, imbued with national identity, and carrying the unique characteristics of Nam Dan homeland. At the same time, they will experience and participate in activities commemorating the merits of King Mai and the generals and pray for all the best for their families and everyone. In the coming years, Nam Dan district will continue to strive to attract resources to preserve, embellish and upgrade relics associated with organizing the King Mai Temple Festival every year with more unique features, contributing to promoting the development of spiritual and cultural tourism in the district.
