Lam Kinh National Special Historical Site.
If one were to outline and introduce to friends both within and outside the province the heritage journey of Thanh Hoa, the Lam Kinh National Special Historical Site would always be the destination that comes to mind. That name, that land, makes each person think more deeply and broadly about the connection between tradition and modernity, past and present, history and the present era...
The book "Dai Nam Nhat Thong Chi" contains records about the Lam Kinh region: "Lam Kinh of the Le Dynasty is located east of Lam Son Mountain in Quang Thi commune, Thuy Nguyen district. To the south it faces the Luong River, and to the north it is nestled against the mountains. It was the land where Le Thai To established his dynasty. At the beginning of the Thuan Thien era, this land was used to establish the Western Capital, also called Lam Kinh. A palace was built overlooking the river. Behind the palace is a large lake similar to Kim Nguu Lake. The mountain streams flow into this lake, and a small stream originating from the lake flows in front of the palace, curving in an arc shape. A tiled bridge is built over the stream, and one must cross the bridge to reach the palace..."
The history of the dynasty has closed behind the curtain of time. The ancients have passed away, but their achievements and accomplishments will live on forever. The Lam Kinh Temple and Shrine no longer retains its original architecture, but it remains vibrant and an unmissable destination when visiting this land of "spiritual and talented people," "Thanh Ky, a charming place." Especially on the 21st and 22nd of the 8th lunar month each year, the Lam Kinh National Special Historical Site always bustles with thousands of visitors from all over the country attending the festival with many unique cultural and artistic activities. The ceremonial part is organized solemnly, including spiritual rituals such as: the procession of the palanquin of King Le Thai To and the palanquin of Trung Tuc King Le Lai, reading of the eulogy, reporting to the ancestors, and offering incense to commemorate King Le Thai To and the Lam Son heroes. Along with these rituals, the festival features a theatrical program recreating the Lam Son uprising with its important milestones and many folk games and performances...
Tracing back through time to the historical and cultural roots of Thanh Hoa province, the ancient spiritual space with its mausoleums, temples, shrines, and village communal houses connects to a golden milestone in the nation's history, linked to the life and career of the female general Trieu Thi Trinh - Lady Trieu.
According to historical records, Lady Trieu was born and raised in the Quan Yen mountain region of Cuu Chan district. From a young age, she displayed extraordinary spirit. In 248, filled with hatred for the invading army that had trampled on the country and a desire for revenge, Lady Trieu, along with her brother Trieu Quoc Dat, gathered forces day and night in the wild, rugged Nua mountain region and raised the banner of rebellion.
Despite fighting valiantly, the rebel army repeatedly terrified the enemy, destroying many of their fortified towns and villages. Ultimately, due to the enemy's despicable tactics, the rebel army was defeated. Under relentless pursuit, Lady Trieu retreated to Mount Tung. She knelt and prayed to heaven and earth, saying, "In life, I am a general; in death, I am a goddess," before drawing her sword and committing suicide on February 22nd, 248 AD (the year of the Earth Dragon). It is on the summit of this very mountain that Lady Trieu's mausoleum and tomb were built. Stories surrounding the life and achievements of this female general are something that almost every Vietnamese person has heard at least once: "Lull your child to sleep soundly / So that I may carry water to wash the elephant's saddle / If you want to see, go up the mountain to see..."
The palanquin procession - a unique feature of the Ba Trieu Temple Festival.
The mausoleum of Lady Trieu is nestled amidst lush, verdant natural scenery, possessing a mysterious, solemn, and profound quality. The entrance to the mausoleum begins at the ceremonial gate at the foot of the mountain, supported by four pillars. The tops of the two pillars are adorned with mythical creatures – lion-like beasts. The pillars themselves are carved lanterns depicting the four sacred animals, while the bases are shaped like ornate vases. Passing through the ceremonial gate, just below the path leading to the summit of Mount Tung, lies the area dedicated to the three Ly brothers from Bo Dien village (Trieu Loc commune), known as the valiant and loyal generals of Lady Trieu.
After lighting incense to show respect and admiration for the loyal and righteous subjects, one must climb hundreds of steep stone steps to reach the summit of Mount Tung, where the mausoleum and tomb of Lady Trieu are located. The mausoleum is built in a pyramidal shape with a square base and three tiers; the roof is styled like a palanquin; the apex is adorned with a wine flask; the entire mausoleum is crafted from solid green stone. The structure of the Queen's tomb has arched doorways on four sides, a curved roof at the corners, and a round bridge at the top. In addition, on the summit of Mount Tung, there is also a tower, a four-sided square pillar structure made of solid stone.
Not far from the mausoleum and tomb complex is the thousand-year-old temple dedicated to Lady Trieu and the imposing Phu Dien village communal house with its five bays and six wooden trusses. All three locations are the venues for the Lady Trieu Temple Festival, held annually from the 19th to the 24th of the second lunar month, with even-numbered years being celebrated as a grand ceremony. The main activities that make the Lady Trieu Temple Festival unique include the ceremonial procession and the palanquin procession. The procession consists of five palanquins: an altar, an eight-sided palanquin, a double-dragon palanquin, a dragon palanquin, and a hammock palanquin; each palanquin is carried by dozens of attendants. The procession travels from the temple to the mausoleum and tomb complex, then to the Phu Dien communal house, where worship takes place for one day and one night before returning to the temple and settling down. The procession grows larger as it progresses, everyone immersing themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of drums, gongs, and rituals, creating a colorful and diverse festival scene. With its immense value and unique characteristics, the Ba Trieu Temple Festival was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2022.
The Lam Kinh National Special Monument Area and the complex of tombs, temples, and shrines of Lady Trieu, along with the Phu Dien village communal house and the Lady Trieu Temple Festival, are two of the many unique and diverse tangible and intangible cultural heritage sites in our province. According to preliminary statistics, Thanh Hoa province currently has approximately 1,535 historical and cultural relics and scenic spots that have been inventoried and protected, including 858 relics classified at various levels according to four categories (historical and cultural relics, architectural and artistic relics, archaeological relics, and scenic spots); 27 national-level intangible cultural heritage sites; and hundreds of festivals and rituals organized in various forms. This is a potential, a competitive advantage, and an important endogenous resource, serving as both a foundation and a driving force for Thanh Hoa to steadfastly overcome all difficulties, challenges, and changes to rise and develop.
Thanh Hoa province is a land that has appeared in records dating back to the time of the Hung Kings' founding of the nation, under the name Cuu Chan. In particular, the year 1029 (during the reign of Ly Thai Tong, under the Thien Thanh era) is identified as the year the name Thanh Hoa first appeared as an administrative unit directly under the central government. "From the Cuu Chan district during the Van Lang - Au Lac period, through the period of Northern domination to independent feudal states and under French rule, to the present-day Thanh Hoa province, Thanh Hoa has been a relatively stable administrative unit in terms of territory and independence directly under the central government." In its deepest layers, amidst the most vigorous movement and development, the historical and cultural values of Thanh Hoa province remain a firm and enduring foundation.
Text and photos: Dang Khoa
Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/suc-song-ben-bi-cua-mot-dong-chay-van-hoa-255317.htm
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