Kim Lien Temple, also referred to as Cao Son Temple, is an integral part of Hanoi’s Four Sacred Temples. Renowned for its legendary deity Cao Son and its remarkable architectural style reflecting the Vietnamese culture, this temple holds a significant place in the hearts of locals and visitors alike.
While many are familiar with the name Kim Lien Temple in Hanoi, few know its precise location or the details of the deities worshipped within its walls. Furthermore, the Kim Lien temple festival date remains relatively unknown. In this article, we will delve into the rich history and traditions associated with the Kim Lien ancient temple, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of this cultural gem.
Where is the Temple?
The address of Kim Lien Temple in Hanoi is well known to everyone because it belongs to one of the four towns of Thang Long in the ancient Thang Long citadel, an extremely sacred temple with a special mark. However, the exact address may not be known to everyone.
Kim Lien temple now belongs to Phuong Lien ward, Dong Da district, Hanoi city. Hanoi’s Four Sacred Temples were conceived by the people as four sacred temples guarding the four directions of East, West, South, and North of Thang Long Citadel, surrounding the citadel and protecting the citadel from external threats.
The Legend of Kim Lien Temple
Kim Lien Temple belongs to one of the four temples of Thang Long, located to the south of Thang Long Citadel. To know about the history of Kim Lien temple, we will go back in history, back to the reign of King Ly Thai To or Ly Cong Uan.
Which god does Kim Lien Temple worship?
This place is the place to worship Cao Son Dai Vuong, an old legend has it that this god is the son of Lac Long Quan and Au Co, belonging to one of 50 children who followed their mother to the mountain. Then Cao Son joined with Son Tinh against Thuy Tinh in the story of Son Tinh Thuy Tinh retold.
History books have recorded that, in the past, when King Le Tuong Duc led his army to quell the rebellion and restore the inheritance of King Ly Thai To, to the territory of Phung Hoa district, which now belongs to Van Phuong and Nho Quan communes of Ninh Binh province. There is a temple with 4 words Cao Son Dai Vuong in the middle of the dense forest. Seeing that it was strange, the King immediately prayed for the title of this great king, who needed help, then indeed, after only 10 days of quelling the rebellion, the great thing was successful.
The Legend of the Temple
To express sincere gratitude, gratitude to the god who helped the king to quell the rebellion in Dong Do, who built the temple in Thang Long citadel.
In the temple, there is still a stone stele Cao Son Dai Vuong, the god of compassion, praising the merits of this deity. This stele was erected in the year of the Dragon, the year of Canh Hung 33, ie 1772.
The Cao Son temple relic has become one of the special phenomena of ancient Hanoi, both creating a marker for the southern boundary of the ancient Thang Long citadel and at the same time symbolizing the guardianship, preservation, and protection of the past. peace of the city. In Kim Lien Temple, in addition to worshiping the god Cao Son, the place also worships Tam Phu, Thanh Mau, and President Ho Chi Minh.
With a special architecture as well as a historical story behind it, Kim Lien Temple is imbued with Vietnamese national cultural identity along with priceless relics. This place has been classified as a national historical relic that needs to be preserved and treasured.
The Temple Festival
Kim Lien Communal House Festival is held from 15-16 of the 3rd lunar month every year and the 16th is the main festival. In addition to the main ceremony, there is also the monthly squirrel ceremony, the Ky An festival, and the celebration of the deity’s day on the 12th day of the 8th lunar month.
On the morning of the 15th, the hair-cutting contest took place, the atmosphere was jubilant and bustling throughout Kim Lien village. This village is also famous for its skilled artisans who cut their hair and dance with scissors. At the end of the contest, there are folk games such as breaking pots, pushing sticks, etc. In the evening, there are very exciting music and dance festivals.
The main festival is on March 16. In the early morning, the villagers will perform the sacrifice ceremony in the main hall, read the prayers of Dinh Kim Lien, then the incense offering ceremony respectfully in front of the communal house, then the families offer elaborate and ecstatically beautiful dishes. Finally, there is a procession with 4 solemn palanquins: Long Dinh, Grandfather’s palanquin, Grandmother’s palanquin and hammock palanquin.
People walk in a long line from Kim Hoa Street to Dao Duy Anh and then back to Kim Lien Communal House, creating an extremely majestic image. During the festival, people also organize many traditional games such as bird fighting, human chess, martial arts, and duck hunting in the pond.
The Kim Lien Communal House festival not only preserves the long-standing cultural identity, creating a bustling atmosphere for the villagers but also enriches the traditional beauty of festivals in Vietnam.
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