The ancient beauty of Nguyen Bieu temple on Lam Thanh mountain
Huy Thu•August 4, 2024 19:00
Existing for hundreds of years, Nguyen Bieu Temple in Xuan Lam Commune (Hung Nguyen) has an ancient and sacred beauty. This is a place for spiritual and cultural activities of the people and visitors from all over the world to respectfully pay tribute to the loyalty to the king, the country and the indomitable spirit before the enemy of the heroic King Nguyen Bieu.
Nguyen Bieu Temple on Lam Thanh Mountain, Xuan Lam Commune, was built during the Le Dynasty to worship Righteous King Nguyen Bieu (from Yen Ho Commune, Duc Tho District, Ha Tinh Province). He passed the Thai Hoc Sinh (PhD) exam during the Tran Dynasty, assisted King Tran Trung Quang in fighting against the Ming invaders, and held the position of Royal Inspector. When the Ming army attacked Nghe An, Nguyen Bieu went on a diplomatic mission to ask for peace at the king's command. The Ming general Truong Phu, unable to subdue Nguyen Bieu, killed him on July 1, Quy Ti Year (1413). Photo: Huy ThuAfter Nguyen Bieu passed away, in recognition of his achievements and gratitude for his integrity, the people built a temple to worship him on Lam Thanh mountain. At first, the temple was just a small shrine made of bamboo and thatch; it was not until the Later Le Dynasty that it was built with bricks, tiles, and solid wood. In 1913, the worshiping house and two harems were built. In 2007, the local people restored the temple. Nguyen Bieu Temple was recognized as a provincial historical relic in 2009. In the photo: The path up and down in front of the temple gate is made of laterite blocks with ancient marks intact. Photo: Huy Thu Currently, the temple grounds are about 3,000 m2 wide, with main structures such as: Tam Quan gate, worshiping hall, back palace, and historical stele. Tam Quan gate has 4 stepped pillars forming 3 paths closely connected with flower-strewn walls and 2 votive burning houses on both sides. Photo: Huy Thu In front of the main gate, there are statues of elephants on both sides. The two "grandfather" elephants lie on ancient laterite rocks. Photo: Huy ThuThe pillars of the three-door gate are elaborately decorated, with statues of the lions. In particular, the two pillars in the middle are not only large in size, but the four corners are also decorated with phoenix heads, with majestic lions on top. During the restoration and embellishment process in 2007, the pillars that were tilted and about to fall were adjusted. One of the two lions on the middle pillar due to damage has been restored. Photo: Huy ThuThe two side gates of the main gate and the two votive burning houses are built in the style of two-story matchboxes, with curved roofs and a harmonious and symmetrical layout. Photo: Huy ThuThe worshiping hall of Nguyen Bieu temple has 3 compartments, 2 sides, roofed with scale tiles, and has fang-shaped pillars in the front. On the fang-shaped pillars are carved images of lions. In the most recent restoration, the worshiping hall was rebuilt, but the two fang-shaped pillars remained intact. Photo: Huy ThuInside the worshiping house, the middle room is decorated with a communal altar, the right room (looking out) is decorated with an altar to President Ho Chi Minh. In the middle of the worshiping house is a horizontal plaque "Ho quoc ty dan" (Protecting the country, protecting the people) and a pair of parallel sentences: "Thanh Lam tich co chung linh dia - Yen Viet song trung ky niem dai" (Thanh Lam is the place where sacred land is cast - Yen Viet is the memorial of two loyal ministers). On the left is a poem by King Trung Quang sending Nguyen Bieu off on his diplomatic mission, on the right is the poem "An bo dau nguoi" by Nguyen Bieu. Photo: Huy ThuTwo harem houses were built side by side to worship the heroic King Nguyen Bieu and Doctor Phan Quoc Hoa (from Duc Tho, Ha Tinh) who died in a battle with the Mac army in 1557. Photo: Huy ThuEvery year on the 1st day of the 7th lunar month, local people in Xuan Lam commune solemnly hold the death anniversary of the great king Nguyen Bieu according to traditional rituals. Photo: Huy ThuNguyen Bieu Temple on Lam Thanh Mountain is a place for spiritual and cultural activities of people and tourists from all over the world, expressing respect and gratitude for the loyalty to the king, the country and the indomitable spirit before the enemy of the heroic King Nguyen Bieu. Photo: Huy Thu
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