The Tô Hiến Thành temple is located in Tiền Thôn village (Hoằng Tiến commune).
According to historical records, Grand Marshal Tô Hiến Thành was born in Hạ Mỗ commune, Đan Phượng district, former Hà Tây province (now part of Hanoi ) into a prestigious family. His father, Tô Hiến Tín, passed the Hiền Lương examination and was appointed an official in Tống Sơn district, Hà Trung prefecture, Ái Châu (present-day Thanh Hóa). His mother, Lê Thị Tố, was a virtuous, kind, intelligent, open-minded, and tolerant woman. One moonlit night, she dreamt of an old man with white hair holding a celestial boy in a green robe, who said: "Your benevolence is blessed by heaven; I now give you a boy who will one day keep the country peaceful." On the 10th day of the 8th lunar month, she gave birth to a son with a graceful demeanor, a strong physique, a handsome appearance, and a quick, agile manner, just like the celestial boy in her dream. His parents named him Tô Hiến Thành.
Before he was a year old, To Hien Thanh could speak; at five, he understood music theory, possessing exceptional intelligence and talent. In 1138, during the Mau Ngo examination, he passed with top honors. To Hien Thanh's military career was primarily under the reign of King Ly Anh Tong. Following in the footsteps of Grand Marshal Ly Thuong Kiet, Grand Marshal To Hien Thanh accompanied King Ly Anh Tong in suppressing rebellions, expanding the territory to the Northwest, repelling Cambodian invasions, and conquering Champa. This significantly strengthened the position of Dai Viet under King Ly Anh Tong, forcing the Song dynasty to recognize Dai Viet in 1164.
His career as a civil official was equally illustrious, but most of his achievements were concentrated in his later years, when he became the last talented and virtuous regent of the Ly Dynasty. He played a major role in organizing land reclamation in many coastal areas of Quang Ninh, Hai Phong , and Thanh Hoa. A man of high moral character and compassion, he treated national affairs as his own, serving the king with loyalty and caring for the people like his own children. While working in Thanh Hoa, when the districts of Tong Son and Nga Son suffered crop failures for several consecutive years, he petitioned the king to exempt four communes in Tong Son district and 50 villages in Nga Son district from taxes. Out of gratitude and admiration for his talent and virtue, after his death, people in many places erected temples in his honor, including the temple in Tien Thon village, Hoang Tien commune today.
Located 800 meters from Hai Tien beach on a nearly 10,000 square meter plot, the temple dedicated to Saint To Hien Thanh is surrounded by lush, ancient trees, creating a tranquil, ancient, and sacred atmosphere. According to historical records, the temple was built at the end of the 12th century, with a three-bay, two-wing architectural style resembling the Chinese character "Wang" (王). The front hall houses the statue of Grand Marshal To Hien Thanh, the middle hall the throne, and the rear hall the ancestral tablet. The temple currently preserves 26 royal decrees from various feudal dynasties, along with many valuable artifacts of historical significance. The temple is considered sacred and has long been a spiritual center for people both within and outside the province. Despite the vicissitudes of time and historical events, the To Hien Thanh temple has been restored and renovated four times, yet it retains its original architectural beauty. The exquisite carvings and intricate decorative patterns showcase the skillful craftsmanship of ancient artisans. With those special values, in 1997 the To Hien Thanh Temple was recognized by the State as a National Historical, Cultural and Architectural Art Monument.
Every year, on the 6th and 7th of February (lunar calendar), at the temple of Saint To Hien Thanh, the people of Hoang Tien commune joyfully and enthusiastically organize the Ky Phuc festival. This is not only an opportunity for the local people to express their reverence and remember the contributions of the wise and talented To Hien Thanh, who helped expand the territory and repel foreign invaders, but also to pray for national peace and prosperity, and bountiful harvests. The festival takes place with many traditional rituals, such as processions, incense offerings, sacrificial ceremonies, and lively folk cultural activities, attracting a large number of locals and tourists.
Today, along with the development of Hai Tien beach tourism , the temple of Saint To Hien Thanh is becoming an attractive cultural and spiritual destination for tourists from all over.
(This article uses material from the book "Famous People of Thanh Hoa", Volume 6).
Text and photos: Khac Cong
Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/to-hien-thanh-bac-dai-than-tai-duc-287808.htm
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