Nga An preserves and promotes the value of historical relics.

Nga An is a land with a rich history, culture, and revolutionary traditions, preserving many historical sites and unique festivals. Proud of their homeland, the people here have been taking practical steps to preserve and promote the value of these historical sites.

Han Son Pagoda, a historical and cultural site, is a spiritual center for the people.

Located in Chinh Dai village, Han Son Pagoda is a sacred ancient temple with a long history, including records of its abbot dating back to 1797. More than just a place of worship, the pagoda is also a significant site marking the revolutionary movements of Nga Son (Thanh Hoa) and Kim Son ( Ninh Binh ). According to the history of the Nga Dien commune Party Committee from 1936-1939 (before administrative reorganization), the pagoda served as a hiding place and operational base for many revolutionary cadres such as Ta Quynh, Ton That Toai, Nguyen Huu Kieu, and Pham Van An. In 1948, when the French colonialists occupied the Dien Ho - Chinh Dai area, the abbots and young monks temporarily left the pagoda and evacuated to Hoang Cuong Pagoda to directly participate in the resistance. By 1951, the pagoda continued to serve as a communication station and meeting place for guerrilla forces, supporting the Quang Trung Regiment in attacking the Ke Chinh Dai outpost.

Having weathered the ups and downs of time, in 1998 and 1999, the pagoda was restored and renovated to meet the religious needs of the people. With its exceptional historical and cultural values, in 2010 Han Son Pagoda was officially classified as a provincial-level historical and cultural relic. Every year, on the 9th and 10th of the third lunar month, the traditional Han Son Pagoda - Than Phu Gate Festival is solemnly held, attracting a large number of visitors from all over.

In 2014, thanks to the attention of the State and philanthropists, the pagoda continued to be renovated and restored in many aspects such as the triple gate, the crescent-shaped pond, the main hall, the ancestral house, the mother goddess house, etc. The pagoda currently has a T-shaped structure consisting of three bays and a rear sanctuary. The truss system is made of wood in the traditional Vietnamese architectural style, and the roof is covered with curved tiles. To the left of the main pagoda is the shrine dedicated to Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan. With its sacredness, fascinating natural scenery, and connection to Than Phu Gate and nearby attractions, Han Son Pagoda has become an attractive destination for tourists.

The unique aspect of Han Son Temple lies not only in its Buddhist worship but also in its convergence of interwoven religious beliefs, such as the worship of Zen Master Nguyen Minh Khong, General Tran Quoc Tuan (Hung Dao Dai Vuong), the Holy Mother, and the tutelary deity of Chinh Dai village. In this intermingling and mutual support, the Buddha remains the central figure of worship.

Mr. Bui Van Thai from Chinh Dai village said: "Han Son Pagoda is not only a place of spiritual activity, but also a source of pride for the people of Nga An commune. However, some parts of the pagoda, such as the roof of the main hall and the mother goddess house, are currently deteriorating, affecting the religious activities of the people. We hope the government will continue to pay attention to its restoration and renovation."

Nga An commune currently has 10 classified historical and cultural relics. Among them, one is classified at the national level. To preserve and promote the values ​​of these relics, the commune regularly inspects and monitors them to promptly detect and prevent any acts of damage. They also strengthen efforts to educate and guide the people and tourists to practice civilized behavior when visiting the relics.

Through investigation, it was found that Nga An commune has many historical sites that are deteriorating and need restoration and preservation, such as the Mai An Tiem temple, Phu Thong cave, Han Son pagoda, and Tien pagoda. The commune has submitted a report proposing a list of historical sites to be preserved, restored, and their value promoted in the commune for the period 2026-2030, requesting the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to present it to the Provincial People's Committee for funding support for the restoration and preservation of these sites.

Mr. Dinh Van An, Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Department of Nga An Commune People's Committee, said: "The commune will continue to promote propaganda and education to raise the awareness and responsibility of the people in preserving and promoting heritage values. We will strengthen management and mobilize all resources to restore and renovate historical sites. We will connect historical sites in the region to develop spiritual tourism, contributing to the socio-economic development of the commune."

Text and photos: Manh Hai

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/nga-an-bao-ton-va-phat-huy-gia-tri-di-tich-287176.htm