Organizing traditional festivals at Quan Thanh Temple

Offerings from villages and residential groups to Saint Huyen Thien Tran Vu at Quan Thanh Temple. Photo: MH

Quan Thanh Temple is a place to worship Huyen Thien Tran Vu, which has long been famous as an important Northern Town in the "Thang Long Tu Tran", a famous historical and architectural relic. According to historical documents, the Temple was built in the early years when Ly Thai To moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long, on Hoi Long hill northeast of West Lake.

Ancient legends say that: Huyen Thien Tran Vu is the god who rules the North and appeared many times to help people get rid of evil spirits and monsters; to help get rid of a turtle spirit (during the reign of the 14th Hung King); to help get rid of a nine-tailed fox in West Lake; to help An Duong Vuong get rid of a white chicken spirit to build Co Loa citadel; to destroy a fox spirit on the Red River during the reign of King Ly Thanh Tong...

Reading of the genealogy at the festival. *Photo: MH*

When the dike of the Nhi Ha River broke, the king built an altar to pray for rain. Huyen Thien descended to earth at this place. After the heavy rain and strong wind, the sky was clear and the river water was beautiful. King Thanh Tong immediately ordered the construction of a temple at the place where the god had appeared to worship him every year.

During the Le Dynasty, kings also often came here to pray for rain during droughts. Through the dynasties, Saint Huyen Thien Tran Vu was granted the title of God by the kings.

Leaders of Ba Dinh ward offer incense to commemorate Saint Huyen Thien Tran Vu. Photo: MH

In 1823, King Minh Mang changed the name of the temple to Tran Vu Quan. During the reign of King Thieu Tri in 1842, the temple was renamed Quan Thanh as it is today. When King Minh Mang went on a tour of the North, he changed the name of the temple to Chan Vu Quan. These three words were carved on the roof of the three-entrance gate; however, the horizontal plaque in the worshiping hall still read Tran Vu Quan. In 1842, King Thieu Tri visited the temple and gave money to cast a gold ring to wear on the statue of Tran Vu. The temple was recognized as a national historical and cultural relic in 1962. After 60 years, on January 18, 2022, the temple was ranked as a special national relic by the Prime Minister .

Every year, on the 3rd and 9th of the 9th lunar month, the ancient Yen Quang village (now Ba Dinh ward) holds a celebration to commemorate the merits of Huyen Thien Tran Vu, creating a joyful and exciting atmosphere among the people.

Vice Chairman of Ba Dinh Ward People's Committee Nguyen Dan Huy speaks. Photo: PV

Speaking at the ceremony, Vice Chairman of Ba Dinh Ward People's Committee Nguyen Dan Huy said that after many years of preservation and promotion, the commemoration of the birth and death anniversary of Huyen Thien Tran Vu has become an annual cultural event, a highlight of spiritual tourism in the area, leaving a strong impression on the people of the capital, domestic and international tourists.

Before the heroic souls of ancestors and the heroic sacrifices of heroic martyrs, the Vice Chairman of Ba Dinh Ward People's Committee said that the Party Committee, government and people of the ward are determined to strive to excellently fulfill political tasks and development targets in all fields in 2025 and the following years.

Ba Dinh Ward launched an electronic commentary system at the special national relic Quan Thanh Temple. Photo: MH

The ward continues to maintain solidarity and unity, maintain stability and peace of the ward, worthy of being the national administrative and political center, worthy of the trust and affection of the Central and city leaders and all the people.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/to-chuc-le-hoi-truyen-thong-tai-den-quan-thanh-721362.html