The temple is now surrounded by a private garden. (Photo baohatinh.vn) Ha Tinh (VNS/VNA) - A 200-year-old temple in the central province of HaTinh which is part of local spiritual life is in serious need of repair.
Trang Temple in Trung Dinh village was built at the beginning of the Nguyen Dynastyin 1814. The temple is dedicated to Great General Nguyen Huu Ho.
According to Nguyen family annals, Nguyen Huu Ho (1768-1789) was a smart,honest child. At 20 years old, he married Van Tuan in the same province.
When General Nguyen Hue (1753-1792) marched with his army through Ha Tinh torecruit more soldiers to fight against northern Qing invaders, Ho joined thearmy and was assigned to lead a platoon to march toward Thang Long to fight theenemy.
During the battle, he was killed on the night of the second lunar day of 1789.Locals built this temple to worship Ho and celebrate his death every second dayof the Lunar New Year.
Over time, the temple has fallen into disrepair.
The temple is located on a high hill and there remains some ancient carvings onits pillars. Various characters on the pillars show that the temple wasrenovated in 1908 under King Duy Tan’s reign (1907-1916).
The temple was built mainly from the wood of jack fruit trees. Experts from theHanoi Culture University said the delicate carvings had significant features ofthe early Nguyen Dynasty with figures of the dragon, quilin, turtle andphoenix.
At the entrance gate of the temple, “Toi Linh” (Extremely Holy) shows thetemple used to play an important role in the spiritual life of local people.
“Sacred objects like palanquins and thrones were gilded with gold and decoratedwith delicate dragon patterns,” said researcher Nguyen Huu Gia from theuniversity.
“The temple is among the most important historical, cultural and architecturalsites in Huong Khe district,” said Vu Tu Linh, a local official.
The site is now surrounded by a private garden.
A part of the temple is covered with wild climbers while the most of theremaining wooden pillars have been eaten by termites.
“It could collapse any time especially with the rainy season approaching,” saidLinh.-VNS/VNA
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