Sacred Thac Bo Temple

Amidst the vast waters of Hoa Binh Lake, where towering mountains cast their reflections upon the majestic Da Giang River, the Thac Bo Temple has long been a renowned spiritual destination in the Northwest region. More than just a repository of unique historical and cultural values, the Thac Bo spiritual complex is also a place where locals and tourists entrust their faith and hopes for a peaceful and fortunate life.

Hoa Binh Lake is likened to Ha Long Bay in the mountains, with its captivating beauty.

A spiritual meeting point in the heart of Hoa Binh Lake.

A unique feature of the historical site is that it houses two temples dedicated to the God of Thac Bo, namely the Thac Bo Temple in Tien Phong commune and the Thac Bo Temple in Thung Nai commune. Both temples are located beside Hoa Binh Lake, built on the foundations of ancient temples that existed before the Hoa Binh hydroelectric dam began impounding water.

Each temple has its own unique architecture and atmosphere, but all serve as places of worship and remembrance for two women who helped King Le Loi transport provisions and guide the rebel army through the treacherous rapids of the Da River during the resistance against the Ming invaders.

The Thac Bo Temple in Thung Nai commune.

According to historical records, around 1430-1432, King Le Loi, during the Thuan Thien era, led his army to suppress the rebellion of Deo Cat Han in Muong Le, Son La . When the king's army reached the Thac Bo area, they were faced with a fierce whirlpool, a treacherous waterfall with white foam splashing into the sky, and countless jagged rocks that prevented the army from advancing. At that time, in Hao Trang commune, a Muong woman named Dinh Thi Van (and an unnamed Dao woman) rallied the young men of the village to go into the forest to cut planks and build dugout canoes; they also called on the people to cut bamboo to make rafts, and contribute food and supplies to feed the army and help them cross Thac Bo to fight the enemy.

On his victorious return, in March of the year Nhâm Tý (1432), King Lê Lợi stopped at Thác Bờ. The king also inscribed a poem on a stele titled "Conquering Cát Hãn Pass, crossing Long Thuỷ dike" (now known as the Lê Lợi stele).

The Thac Bo Temple is located in Tien Phong commune.

After their deaths, legend says they often manifested themselves, assisting the people whenever they crossed treacherous rapids and waterfalls. From then on, the people bestowed upon them the title of "Lady of Thac Bo Waterfall." The king issued a decree ordering the people in the region to build a temple in their honor. The Thac Bo Temple was recognized as a provincial-level historical and cultural relic by the People's Committee of Hoa Binh province in 2008.

Besides its temple complex, the Thac Bo spiritual tourism area is also famous for Thac Bo Cave – one of the most beautiful caves in the Hoa Binh Lake region. Located at an altitude of about 100m above the lake, the cave was formed over millions of years of geological processes, featuring a system of stalactites and stalagmites in myriad shapes. These formations, sculpted by nature into the shapes of dragons, phoenixes, golden trees, silver trees, or delicate lotus buds, leave visitors in awe of their magical beauty.

Thac Bo Cave is likened to a "palace within the mountain," boasting both natural beauty and religious significance.

Stepping inside the cave, visitors can feel the cool air year-round along with a mysterious and sacred atmosphere. Many people liken Thac Bo Cave to a "palace in the heart of the mountain," a place where the beauty of nature and spiritual beliefs converge. It is this harmonious combination of the temple and the cave's scenic beauty that creates the allure of Thac Bo tourism.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan, a tourist from Hanoi, shared: “Every year, my family comes here to worship at Thac Bo Pagoda. We not only pray for health and peace but also seek tranquility in our souls. The scenery here is beautiful, creating a feeling of closeness and sacredness.”

Integrating spiritual tourism with local economic development.

The space around Thac Bo Temple boasts a harmonious blend of nature and spiritual architecture. Many visitors feel a sense of peace and tranquility, temporarily setting aside the stresses of life.

More than just a spiritual destination, the Thac Bo Temple and Cave complex is also a distinctive tourism product of Hoa Binh Lake. In recent years, the transportation system, ports, and tourism services have been gradually invested in and upgraded, creating favorable conditions for tourists to visit and experience. The pilgrimage to the temple combined with exploring Hoa Binh Lake and the villages of the Muong and Dao ethnic groups has become an attractive tourism product, attracting a large number of tourists from within and outside the province.

Boats carrying tourists from all over the world come to worship at the Thac Bo Temple.

Every year, especially from the beginning of spring until the end of the festival season (April in the lunar calendar), tens of thousands of tourists from all over the country brave the waves of Hoa Binh Lake to visit the two sacred temples for sightseeing and worship, creating livelihoods for many households engaged in transportation, accommodation, food services, selling local specialties, and community tourism around the lake.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Van, who runs a tourism service on Hoa Binh Lake, said that the number of visitors to the Thac Bo Temple has steadily increased over the years, especially during the early spring. Tourism activities have created jobs and increased income for many local households, contributing to the economic development of the lake region.

Dinh Thang

Source: https://baophutho.vn/linh-thieng-den-chua-thac-bo-255390.htm