Two Dong Co temples in Thanh land

According to the legends and myths that have been passed down to this day, Dong Co god is the god who has accompanied, protected and assisted the Vietnamese people since the beginning of the country's founding. In the thousand-year reputation of Thanh culture, Dong Co god and two temples worshiping Dong Co god are dotted with unique and typical nuances. They are Dong Co temple in Dan Ne village, Yen Tho commune (Yen Dinh) and Dong Co temple in My Da village, Hoang Duc commune (Hoang Hoa).

Dong Co Temple, Dan Ne village, Yen Tho commune (Yen Dinh) nestles next to Tam Thai mountain.

"Who is returning to Dong Co - Dan Ne"...

In the whole country, there are currently two localities worshipping Dong Co god: Hanoi and Thanh Hoa. In which, legends, folk myths or official history all record about Dong Co temple in Dan Ne village, Yen Tho commune (Yen Dinh) as the place of origin and main worship. Leaving aside all the hustle and bustle outside the gate, the road leading to Dong Co temple is also the road of peace and serenity. The river reflects on the mountain. The crescent lake sparkles in the autumn sun. The quiet, ancient features of the temple are like a delicate touch, showing the unique style of the landscape and evoking the sacred atmosphere of this land.

Dong Co Temple, Dan Ne village has a history of formation and development over thousands of years. From the time it was just a small temple, Dong Co Temple was once majestic, large in scale, with a structure of "first front - last back", 38 rooms, a 3-storey, 8-roofed gate. The temple is located at the foot of Tam Thai mountain, from the top of the mountain looking down you can see the winding Ma River with Truong Chau wharf "from ancient times gathering merchant ships, masts standing upright like forest trees, truly a capital of Ai Chau land". The content of the Tay Son stele composed by Tuyen Cong Nguyen Quang Ban (son of King Quang Trung) in 1802 stated: "Dong Co Mountain and Temple is a sacred and glorious relic of the highest rank in Thanh Hoa province".

Not only a sacred and spiritual site, the Dong Co temple area in Dan Ne village marks many typical events in the two long resistance wars of the nation against French colonialism and American imperialism. The history of the temple blends with the flow of national history, even in the most difficult and fierce times. During the resistance war against French colonialism, Ich Minh cave in the heart of Tam Thai mountain was a weapons factory of our army. When the French discovered it, they bombed this area, turning it into ruins, leaving only the foundation and the ceremonial gate in the west of the temple. During the resistance war against America, a power plant workshop was also evacuated here, operating in Noi cave located on the mountain to the left of the temple.

After many times of restoration and embellishment, Dong Co Temple has the appearance and architecture as today. The charming natural scenery, unique architecture of the temple and the spiritual colors revolving around the legends and myths about the miracles of Dong Co god delight visitors. Along with that, every year, on the 15th day of the 3rd lunar month, Dong Co Temple Festival is held with many exciting cultural, artistic and sports activities, attracting a large number of visitors to participate such as: palanquin procession, announcement ceremony, boat racing, human chess, blindfolded duck catching...

With these unique and typical features, in 2001, Dong Co Temple was recognized as a national historical and cultural relic. In 2019, Dong Co Mountain and Temple Historical and Cultural Relic was recognized as a tourist destination by the People's Committee of Thanh Hoa province. In recent years, Yen Dinh district has made efforts to implement many practical and effective solutions to preserve and promote the value of Dong Co Mountain and Temple relics associated with tourism development.

My Da village has Dong Co temple

From Dan Ne village, Yen Tho commune (Yen Dinh) to My Da village (belonging to the old Hoang Minh commune, after merging with Hoang Duc commune, Hoang Hoa district), many people are surprised to know that there exists Dong Co temple with a history of formation and development of hundreds of years.

My Da village was formerly called Ke Co, located separately to the South. In the past, to enter the village, one had to follow the trails across Tam Tong field. Stepping out of the village, one could see a vast, boundless rice field. The village has a tradition of studiousness and a rich cultural history. It is known that in the past, My Da village had a communal house, a three-room pagoda worshipping Buddha, about 30m south of the natural well. The pagoda had 5 precious wooden Buddha statues, a bronze bell and many other artifacts... However, up to now, the pagoda no longer exists, only the natural well remains; the communal house no longer exists, leaving only a stone pedestal as a trace. Only Dong Co temple, which has gone through the changes of time and the ups and downs of history, still stands firmly at the head of the village, becoming the "spiritual support" of generations of descendants here.

Dong Co Temple in My Da village, Hoang Duc commune (Hoang Hoa).

The history of the formation and development of this temple is closely related to the Dong Co temple in Dan Ne village, Yen Tho commune (Yen Dinh). According to legend, in 1020, Crown Prince Ly Phat Ma (son of King Ly Thai To) led his army to fight the enemy from the South, passing through Hoang Hoa, arriving at My Da village at noon, suddenly seeing the sky raining, windy, thundering fiercely, unable to advance, the Crown Prince let his army rest here. Looking around, the Crown Prince recognized the terrain of this land as a lotus flower, thinking it was strange so he ordered his entourage to set up an altar right here. At night, the spirit saw the god Dong Co appear and declare his name: "I am Son Than Dong Co, following the king to defeat the enemy. Now seeing this place is sacred land so I manifest" and then disappeared.

On the day of the battle, when both sides were fighting, suddenly the sound of bronze drums resounded loudly, our army won a great victory. When returning in triumph, the Crown Prince celebrated his army in My Da village. In memory of the god's merits and the sacredness of My Da land, the royal court issued an edict to the village, ordering the people to build a temple; at the same time, it ordered the villagers to receive an additional 70 quan of money to use as a public fund for incense and to repair the temple. Salaries, soldiers, laborers, and corvee were also postponed for 3 years. Therefore, Dong Co temple, My Da village, also has another name, Lien Hoa Linh Tu. The King bestowed the title of "Thuong Dang Phuc Than", to worship for a thousand years, and enjoy the country's blessings forever. The edict clearly stated: "The local Thanh Hoang Bao Huu Hien Ung Thuong Dang Phuc Than Dai Vuong". The Le and Nguyen dynasties both issued edicts.

The old temple was built with 5 front rooms, 3 back rooms, 3 front rooms, and 4 left and right rooms on each side. At one point, the temple was destroyed. In 2000, the temple was restored with a T-shaped architecture. The front room was designed with 5 rooms; right in the middle of the front room is where the council altar is located; on the right is the altar of Princess Kim Dung, on the left is the altar of Uncle Ho. The back room worships Dong Co god; inside are bronze bells, bronze drums, bronze incense burners...

Mr. Le Viet Bach, the caretaker of Dong Co temple, said: "The temple was built a long time ago so it has deteriorated. At the end of 2023, the villagers donated and offered to repair the grounds, surrounding fences, replace the horizontal lacquered panels, change the tiles, and re-pave the floor inside the temple"... For a long time, Dong Co temple in My Da village, Hoang Duc commune, has become a place for spiritual and cultural activities of the people in the area. In particular, the Dong Co temple festival held on February 1 (lunar calendar) is a major festival of the village. In the spring atmosphere, the spring colors are full, the local government and people are eager and enthusiastic to organize a palanquin procession from the temple to the village's office, then sit in the temple. The worship of the gods is carried out solemnly and respectfully. Cultural activities, arts, folk games, and sports are bustling throughout the village. Dong Co temple was ranked as a national historical and cultural relic in 2004.

According to statistics from the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Thanh Hoa has more than 1,500 historical relics and scenic spots; 755 intangible cultural heritages with nearly 300 festivals, rituals, customs, games, folk performances... Among those colors and scents, the two Dong Co temples still create their own mark, still go hand in hand with the contemporary pace of life, in the love, admiration, and joint efforts to preserve and promote of generations of descendants.

Article and photos: Thao Linh

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/hai-ngoi-den-dong-co-o-xu-thanh-226119.htm