As one of the four guarding temples of Thang Long - Hanoi, Kim Lien Temple always holds a special position in the city’s culture and history. (Photo: VietnamPlus) Hanoi (VNA) – During the over-1,000-year history of Thang Long - Hanoi capital, the relic sites of “Thang Long tu tran” (the four guarding temples of Thang Long), including Kim Lien Temple, have always held a special position in the city’s culture and history.
The Kim Lien Communal House and Temple, also called Cao Son Temple, were dedicated to guarding the South of ancient Thang Long capital, now Hanoi. The other three temples are Quan Thanh (guarding the North), Bach Ma (guarding the East), and Voi Phuc (guarding the West). Kim Lien was built later than these three temples, in about the 16th - 17th century.
Kim Lien Temple, located in Phuong Lien ward of Dong Da district, worships Cao Son Dai Vuong (Lord of High Mountain). A stone stele there reads that on his journey to quell a revolt and restore power, King Le Tuong Duc (1495 - 1516) came to the area of Phung Hoa district (now Lao Temple in Van Phuong commune of Nho Quan district, Ninh Binh province) and reached an ancient temple inscribed with the four characters of “Cao Son Dai Vuong” in the midst of a mountain. There, the King and his entourage prayed for the lord’s support. Ten days later, their operation came to a success.
Therefore, the King decided to build a temple dedicated to Cao Son Dai Vuong in Phung Hoa district. To pay tribute to the deity, in 1509, he ordered building a bigger temple which is now Kim Lien in Kim Hoa ward near the then capital.
The 2023 traditional festival of Kim Lien Temple in Phuong Lien ward of Dong Da district takes place on May 5 (the 16th day of the third lunar month). (Photo: VietnamPlus) Later, local residents built a three-door gate in front of the temple and some new facilities to form the Kim Lien Communal House. At present, aside from Cao Son Dai Vuong, the Kim Lien Temple and Communal House also worship the Mother Goddesses and President Ho Chi Minh.
Among important antiquities at this temple, apart from the stone stele telling the story of Cao Son Dai Vuong assisting King Le Tuong Duc to suppress rebels, there are 39 royal decrees conferring titles to the deity, comprising 26 from the Le Trung Hung (Revival Le) era (1533 - 1789) and 13 from the Nguyen Dynasty (1802 - 1945). The oldest decree dates back to 1620.
Inside Kim Lien Temple (Photo: VietnamPlus) The Kim Lien Temple and Communal House festival is held on the 15th - 16th day of the third lunar month each year, with main activities organised on the 16th day (the birth anniversary of Cao Son Dai Vuong). In the past, it took place from the 11th - 16th days of the third lunar month.
Apart from traditional rituals, the festival also features a wide range of folk games attracting visitors from far and wide.
The four guarding temples of Thang Long, including Kim Lien Temple, were granted the special national relic site status by the Prime Minister on January 18, 2022. (Photo: VietnamPlus) In 1990, the Kim Lien Communal House and Temple were named a national historical and cultural relic site.
With their outstanding historical, cultural, scientific, and aesthetic values, the historical, architectural and artistic relic sites of “Thang Long tu tran” (the four guarding temples of Thang Long), including Kim Lien Temple, were granted the special national relic site status by the Prime Minister on January 18, 2022./.
