Sacred temple by Dieu Oc lake associated with unique early spring festival

Duc Hoang Temple is located in a green space with rich, ancient and rare flora. The temple gate faces Dieu Oc Lake - one of the eight famous landscapes of the ancient Dong Thanh district. Photo: Huy Thu

According to historical records, Duc Hoang Temple was built during the Tran Dynasty, initially just a small temple, in 1505, the upper temple was built with walls and tiled roof, in 1882 the central temple was built and in 1936 the lower temple was built. The architecture of Duc Hoang Temple is arranged in the shape of the letter "Tam", to this day it still retains almost intact the ancient architecture of the Le - Nguyen Dynasty along with many other auxiliary works such as the gate, yard, garden, well... Photo: Huy Thu

The lower palace has 3 compartments, 4 rafters, and is structured in the style of the Giao Nguyen period. The arches are decorated with the Four Sacred Animals and stylized patterns. The middle compartment is built in the style of a watchtower, and the roof is covered with yin-yang tiles. In the photo: Stone dragon in front of the lower palace. Photo: Huy Thu

The central hall has 3 compartments, 2 wings, a four-pillar structure, and 3 worshiping areas. Another unique feature of Duc Hoang Temple is that the house pillars are placed on square stones with a base of about 0.3m high. In the photo: Unique burial stone in the central hall. Photo: Huy Thu

The architecture of Duc Hoang Temple, though modest, has an ancient, quiet, sacred beauty with delicate, soft decorative details. In the photo: The front of the upper hall. Photo: Huy Thu

The temple still preserves many valuable ancient artifacts and sacrificial objects such as stone steles, royal decrees, large inscriptions, incense altars... Photo: Huy Thu

Duc Hoang Temple worships Sat Hai Dai Vuong Hoang Ta Thon, a talented general who made great contributions in the resistance war against the Yuan-Mongol invaders in the 13th century. In addition, the temple also worships the snake god, Saint Tran, Princess Lieu Hanh, Princess Bach Y,... In 1998, the temple was recognized by the State as a National Historical and Cultural Relic. In 2022, the Provincial People's Committee recognized the temple as a tourist destination. Photo: Huy Thu

Next to Duc Hoang Temple, in the middle of a shady garden, there is an ancient pagoda called Yen Lac Pagoda, which was built long ago and has now been renovated. Photo: Huy Thu

With the moral of “When drinking water, remember its source”, to show gratitude to ancestors, every year, at the beginning of Spring (from January 29 to February 1 of the lunar calendar), the people of Yen Thanh district and tourists from all over the country eagerly open the Duc Hoang Temple Festival. This is one of the large-scale festivals in the region, attracting a large number of tourists from all over the country to attend. Photo: Huy Thu

The festival program is quite rich, including: opening ceremony, announcement ceremony, procession ceremony, god worship ceremony, thanksgiving ceremony, announcement ceremony, volleyball competition, human chess, Vi-Giam singing, Thanh Nien Thanh Lich contest, releasing flower lanterns, tug of war, stick pushing, swinging, cockfighting, walking on the bridge... Photo: Huy Thu

Going to Duc Hoang Temple Festival is to return to the spiritual cultural roots, an opportunity for everyone to immerse themselves in the sacred festival space, visit, worship, express their respect for their ancestors, and at the same time experience, enjoy, and shop for famous specialties of the rice land. Photo: Huy Thu

Source: https://baonghean.vn/den-thieng-ben-ho-dieu-oc-gan-voi-le-hoi-dau-xuan-dac-sac-post285778.html