The festival honoring the merits of Empress Y Lan attracts a large number of visitors.

Located in Yet Kieu commune, Duoi Temple is an ancient temple built during the Ly Dynasty, dedicated to the worship of Empress Dowager Y Lan Thanh Mau.

Duoi Temple viewed from above.

In her opening speech, the Chairwoman of the People's Committee of Yet Kieu commune, Pham Thi Thu, stated that Empress Dowager Y Lan Thanh Mau, whose real name was Le Thi Yen, was born on March 7, 1044 (Year of the Monkey) in Tho Loi village, later renamed Sieu Loai, Thuan Thanh, Bac Ninh, now part of Gia Lam, Hanoi .

In 1063, King Ly Thanh Tong went to pray for an heir and saw a beautiful and eloquent mulberry-picking girl. The King was so impressed that he brought her to the court and appointed her as a concubine. In 1069, King Ly Thanh Tong led his army to war, entrusting the internal affairs to Empress Y Lan. Living up to the King's trust, she diligently managed the affairs of the court, maintained strict discipline, and cared for the people's well-being, earning their love and respect.

The village elders offered incense to commemorate Empress Dowager Y Lan Thanh Mau.

In 1072, King Ly Thanh Tong suddenly passed away, and Empress Y Lan was appointed Regent for the second time. During her regency, she implemented many measures to govern the country, pacify the people, and improve their lives and education. Together with other wise men, she skillfully used diplomatic means to save the country from foreign invasion. From a humble village girl who cultivated mulberry trees and raised silkworms, thanks to her intelligence, kindness, patriotism, and love for the people, she achieved remarkable feats alongside other wise men, bringing glory to the nation.

Empress Y Lan passed away on July 25, 1117 (the year of the Rooster). She was honored as Quan Am Nu, Mother of the World. In gratitude for her merits, after her death, the people of Yet Kieu commune erected a temple in her honor, which is the Duoi Temple today.

A procession at the festival.

To commemorate the contributions of Queen Mother Y Lan, every year, according to the lunar calendar, on the 12th of February (her birthday) and the 25th of July (her death anniversary), the local people organize a festival to remember and honor the achievements and accomplishments of Queen Mother Y Lan. During the festival days, the statue of Queen Mother Y Lan is taken out of the Forbidden City and paraded throughout the village for the people to venerate.

The Duoi Temple relic site is also the location of many significant events associated with the August Revolution of 1945. During the resistance war against French colonialism, Duoi Temple served as a revolutionary and resistance base, a place for evacuation, concealment, military training, and protection of cadres and soldiers, contributing to the victory of the national resistance war.

A procession at the festival.

With those special cultural values, on January 21, 1992, Duoi Temple was recognized as a National Historical and Cultural Monument. To this day, the monument not only has special value in terms of architectural art, but also serves as a beautiful symbol of the tradition of "drinking water, remembering the source," expressing the gratitude of later generations to their ancestors and forefathers.

At the festival, along with unique traditional rituals such as the Temple Opening Ceremony, the Announcement Ceremony, the Bathing Ceremony, the Procession, the Incense Offering Ceremony, etc., many cultural and artistic activities and folk games are also organized, such as lion dance, dragon dance, and drum performances; welcoming cultural programs, a festival of sacred performances and a folk art festival; human chess, a volleyball tournament, tug-of-war, football, duck catching, etc.

The festival takes place from September 12th to 15th.

According to VNA

Source: https://baobacninhtv.vn/le-hoi-tri-an-cong-duc-nguyen-phi-y-lan-thu-hut-dong-dao-du-khach-postid426372.bbg