(Baonghean.vn) -When visiting Quỳnh Phương, one cannot miss Cờn Temple, located in Phương Cần village. The temple is situated near the Lạch Cờn estuary, amidst a picturesque landscape of mountains and water.The main temple (inner temple) also has a subsidiary temple (outside the sea gate).
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Cờn Temple is one of the four most sacred temples in Nghe An province. From ancient times, the temple's historical records clearly state: "The four supreme and revered deities of the Southern Sea, the Great Holy Mother of the Nation."Photo of Cờn Temple at dawn (photo by Cao Đình Đông) |
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| Outer Cờn TempleLocated right on the edge of the sea. |
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The main hall of the Cờn Temple (facing the sea) has four characters that read "Càn môn linh từ," meaning "Sacred Temple of Càn Gate." The character Càn can be pronounced as Cờn. |
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The Outer Temple is located on the Lizard Mountain range, right at the highest point of the range. According to local folklore, the temple's location is the head of a lizard, with its body stretching from east to north across the village, right at the edge of the sea. This is a low mountain range, nearly 1km long and over 100m above sea level. |
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According to legend, the Outer Temple was built around the 15th century (after the Inner Temple), and was renovated and completed during the reign of Emperor Tự Đức (1848-1883), at the same time as the renovation of the Inner Temple. Đế Bính is one of the figures in the legend of the "Four Holy Mothers" that is still passed down among the people of Phương Cần and the coastal strip of the Gulf of Tonkin. |
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In the first year of Hong Duc (1470), King Le Thanh Tong, on his way to suppress rebellions in the south, stopped at Coen Gate and entered the temple to pray for blessings. Thanks to the miraculous assistance of the Four Holy Mothers, the King defeated the enemy. After returning, the King granted funds to build the temple and bestowed the title "Dai Can Quoc Gia Nam Hai Tu Vi Thanh Huong Thuong Dang Than Ngoc Be Ha," recognizing the merits of the Holy Mothers in helping the country and its people. |
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| A corner of the outer roof of Cờn Temple. |
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The thousand-year-old "turtle" stone still stands silently, gazing out at the sea. |
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| Children of Quynh Beach |
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| Many tourists flock to Quynh Phuong beach on their days off. |
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| And enjoy delicious dishes with the sweet taste of the sea. |
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Quynh Phuong shrimp are very crispy and sweet. They are served with Quynh sea fish sauce. |
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| The mantis shrimp (or stomatopods) here are especially fragrant, sweet, and delicious. |
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| Grilled mackerel from Quynh Phuong coastal region. |
Reporters' Team
