Duom Temple with its ancient and spiritual features is an architectural complex you cannot miss when coming to the tea land of Thai Nguyen.
Explore the thousand-year-old history of Duom Temple
Address: National Highway 3, Dong Dat commune, Phu Luong district
As a temple with a long history, Duom Temple was built in the 12th century, in 1180 during the reign of King Ly Cao Tong. The temple is located at the foot of Duom Mountain, a majestic range of rocky mountains, an undulating mountain wall consisting of 6 peaks, converging all 4 elements: Early Chu Chuc, Late Huyen Vu, Left Thanh Long, Right White Tiger, considered a strange mountain emerging in the middle of the flat land of Dong Dat rice fields.
With its unique history and spiritual elements, Duom Temple is a famous scenic spot of Thai Nguyen. This place attracts many visitors not only during festivals but also on weekdays.
In 1993, Duom Temple relics were ranked as National Monuments, and in 2017, Duom Temple Festival was also recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Duom Temple, a temple with a long history, was built around the early 12th century
2. Who does Duom Temple worship?
Duom Temple worships a Tay soldier named Duong Tu Minh. According to historical records, Mr. Duong Tu Minh was a mandarin during the Ly dynasty, he governed the land of Phu Luong (today the provinces of Thai Nguyen, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Tuyen Quang, Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Lang Son). ). He is a famous general with many contributions in reclaiming land from the Song invaders and protecting the country.
Legend has it that he contributed greatly to maintaining the unity of the nation and reclaiming wasteland. Thanks to that, the Ly dynasty ordained him as “The official god of Cao Son Quang Do”. Later, he was also personally married to Princess Dien Binh by King Ly Nhan Tong. In 1144, King Ly Anh Tong married Princess Thieu Dung to him.
According to estimates, he lived in the late 11th and early 12th centuries. With the great contributions he made, local people built a temple to worship him at the foot of Duom mountain. And that was the birth of Duom Temple today.
Duom Temple worships famous general Duong Tu Minh of the Tran dynasty and his family
3 Unique features of Duom temple
3.1. Unique ancient architecture
Although built in the 12th century, after hundreds of years of existence and many restorations, Duom Temple still retains its traditional, ancient and majestic beauty.
Duom Temple was built in the traditional three-step style including the Lower Temple, Middle Temple and Upper Temple in order from low to high along the mountainside. Each temple in the Duom temple complex will worship one person.
The Ha temple area worships the two princesses Dien Binh and Thieu Dung, the Middle temple worships Mr. Duong Tu Minh and the Thuong temple is the place to worship his mother. The overall structure of Duom Temple is not too large, but it makes a strong impression with its unique and solemn architecture.
Although it has undergone many restorations, Duom Temple still retains its inherent ancient and majestic features
The temple is built in the traditional three-step style and is arranged from low to high along the mountainside
3.2 Duom Temple Festival in Thai Nguyen
Some festivals of Duom Temple include: the 6th day of the first lunar month – the birthday of the Saint; April 24 of the lunar calendar – Summer Festival; 7th day of the 7th lunar month – Thuong Dien ceremony; December 14 – year-end ceremony. Among them, the biggest festival is held on the 6th day of the first lunar month every year, because legend has it that this is the birthday of Saint Duong Tu Minh.
If you have the opportunity to travel to Thai Nguyen , especially in January, you can participate in the Duom temple festival on the 6th day of the lunar calendar every year. This is the time when people in the region organize festivals with many solemn rituals such as: torch procession, water procession, erecting the Tay tree,… There are also some ceremonies such as Moc Duc, Gia Quan, Procession of offerings into the Temple, the Great Priest Ceremony.
One day before, the 5th day of the lunar calendar, people gathered in front of Duom temple yard to prepare for important rituals. The purpose of the festival is to pray for peace, luck and good weather, while also expressing gratitude to Duong Tu Minh’s reputation. The travel guide tells you to come here on the 5th to have more interesting activities.
There are many festivals at Duom Temple, but the biggest is the Saint’s birthday on the 6th day of the first lunar month.
You can visit one day before the festival to visit and experience many interesting activities at Duom Temple.
Duom Temple is a spiritual structure that you cannot miss if you have the opportunity to visit Thai Nguyen. Hopefully the above shares of MYTOUR.ASIA can help you have an overall view before planning your upcoming trip.