The temple of the snake god

TPO - Kinh Ha Temple was built during the Nguyen Dynasty, where the Snake God is worshiped as the village's tutelary god, one of the primitive beliefs of ancient Vietnamese people.

02/09/2025 | 19:16

TPO - Kinh Ha Temple was built during the Nguyen Dynasty, where the Snake God is worshiped as the village's tutelary god, one of the primitive beliefs of ancient Vietnamese people.

Kinh Ha Temple was built at the beginning of the Nguyen Dynasty in Kinh Ha village, now in Tien Hung quarter (Thach Hung ward, Ha Tinh city). The temple was restored in 1919, 1920, 1921 under the reign of King Khai Dinh and Bao Dai of the Nguyen Dynasty.

At the main shrine, the Snake God - Long Vuong (Water God) is worshiped, a long-standing belief of agricultural residents associated with the worship of the Snake God and the River God with the wish for favorable weather.

Mr. Nguyen Cong Tu, the custodian of Kinh Ha Temple, said that the temple was born in the context of the water god worship belief, which developed strongly in the ancient Vietnamese agricultural community. Kinh Ha Temple worships the Snake God as the village's tutelary god, a very primitive form of belief of the indigenous people associated with the water god worship custom.

According to Mr. Tu, Kinh Ha Temple used to have 9 royal decrees issued by the Nguyen Dynasty Kings, but due to time, natural disasters, and war, there are currently 3 royal decrees (copies) left.

The Kinh Ha villagers have brought the legendary model of popular beliefs as their spiritual property. This is the integration into the spiritual life and common spiritual consciousness of the whole nation and also affirms the strong vitality of spiritual life as the main factor and consolidation of the village community.

Kinh Ha Temple has ancient architecture, including the Upper Palace, Lower Palace, the three-entrance gate system, the main gate, the left and right houses, the outdoor altar, and the kitchen.

Kinh Ha Temple is a living testament to the enduring vitality of Vietnamese folk culture and beliefs.

Kinh Ha Temple was granted a Certificate of historical and cultural relic status by the People's Committee of Ha Tinh province in 2008. Every year, Kinh Ha Temple organizes two major festivals: Khai Ha festival on the 7th day of the first lunar month and Ky Phuc Luc Nguyet festival on the 15th day of the 6th lunar month.

Hoai Nam

Source: https://tienphong.vn/ngoi-den-tho-than-ran-post1715547.tpo