Sacred Chieng Ngam Temple
(Baonghean.vn) - Chieng Ngam Temple is a place for cultural, spiritual and religious activities, the heart, soul, place to look forward to and return to for the people of Quy Chau district and neighboring areas.
Chieng Ngam Temple was established to worship three tutelary gods, Xieu Bo, Xieu Ke and Xieu Luong, who were instrumental in opening the village, establishing the Muong, and worshiping the Mountain God and Water God.
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| Chieng Ngam Temple was built on Ten Bo hill in the Pha En mountain range. Photo: Thanh Chung |
Chieng Ngam Temple was built on Ten Bo hill in the Pha En mountain range in Hong Tien 2 village, Chau Tien commune, in the "Sitting on the mountain, looking at the water" position. The temple faces the southwest, far ahead is the gentle Nam Hat river as the main hall. Behind is the majestic Pha En mountain range as the back seat.
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| Chieng Ngam Temple is located in the position of "Sitting on the mountain and looking at the water". Photo: Thanh Chung |
Around the temple, there are many valuable scenic relics such as: Hang Bua relic - a historical relic, national scenic spot recognized by the Ministry of Culture & Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) in 1997; some caves discovered many relics of prehistoric people such as Tham Co Ngun, Tham Quai, Tham Ke Xang in Chau Binh commune; Tham Om, Ton That, Tham Chang in Chau Thuan commune.
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| Chieng Ngam Temple inauguration ceremony in 2017. Photo: Thanh Chung |
The temple was built in 1924 and has undergone many restorations and embellishments; the most recent was on October 12, 2016, and inaugurated on January 19, 2017.
Currently, the temple has a total area of 24,700 m2, including the road leading to the relic, yard, garden and temple. The temple has a construction area of 98.3 m2, including a 3-room building, two side walls, three sides built with bricks. The height from the top to the ground is 6.1 m.
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| Every year, the spiritual ceremony of Hang Bua Festival is held at the Temple. Photo: Thanh Chung |
In the past and present, the temple is the place for cultural and spiritual activities, the heart, the soul, the place to look forward to, the place to return to of the people of Muong Chieng Ngam and the surrounding areas. This place has witnessed many historical ups and downs of Quy Chau land.
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| Shaman Lu Van Dung performs the Thim Le ritual to invite ancestors to enjoy the offerings their descendants pay respect to the people. Photo: Thanh Chung |
On December 28, 2017, the Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee issued Decision No. 6371/QD-UBND to rank the Chieng Ngam Temple relic as a provincial historical relic. This recognition is to honor and express gratitude to the merits of the gods who have contributed to the people and the country, affirming the great values that are being preserved at the relic.
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| Quy Chau district receives certificate recognizing Chieng Ngam Temple as a provincial-level historical and cultural relic. Photo: Thanh Chung |
Chieng Ngam Temple - Hang Bua and neighboring relics have become a complete relic site, serving the spiritual and cultural needs of ethnic groups in Western Nghe An and tourists from all over the world.
Currently, the Party Committee, government and people of Quy Chau district are making every effort to protect and promote the value of the relic, effectively implementing the Law on Cultural Heritage, so that the relic will last forever, becoming a place to connect generations to their roots, a place to educate revolutionary traditions, unite the community and foster love for the homeland and country.
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| Traditional cultural activities of the Thai people often take place in front of the temple. Photo: Thanh Chung |
Every spring, the spiritual ceremony of Hang Bua Festival - a traditional and long-standing festival of Quy Chau district - is held here. The shamans, on behalf of the people of the district, let their children enjoy the offerings; respectfully hope that the ancestors will bless their children with good health and good luck in the new year to build family happiness and a prosperous village.
Shaman Lu Van Dung, 75 years old, Hong Tien 2 village - the main shaman of Hang Bua Festival 2018 said: Chieng Ngam Temple is very sacred. Every month, on the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month, many local people and people from everywhere come to offer offerings, pray for luck, fortune, children...