Lower Temple Tuyen Quang – A sacred spiritual tourism destination by the Lo River.

Lower Temple Tuyen Quang – A sacred spiritual tourism destination by the Lo River

Located by the gentle river of the Northeast region, Lower Temple is one of the famous spiritual tourism spots in Tuyen Quang. With a history spanning hundreds of years and ancient architecture, the temple offers visitors a solemn, sacred space rich in the cultural identity of Vietnamese folklore.

Not only is it a place for locals to pray for peace and good fortune, but Lower Temple is also an attractive sightseeing spot for those who want to explore the history and beliefs of the worship of Mother in Vietnam.

1. A brief introduction to Lower Temple Tuyen Quang

Lower Temple is located at Group 4, Minh Xuan Ward, Tuyen Quang City. The temple is situated in a beautiful feng shui position with the gentle Lo River in front and the majestic La Mountain behind, creating a sacred and dignified land.

According to historical documents, Lower Temple was built in 1738 and has undergone many renovations throughout its existence. Over different periods, the temple has had various names:

• Ly Dynasty: called Tam Ky – a bustling trading place for merchants from three regions.
• Tran Dynasty: renamed Hiep Thuan, associated with the old village of Hiep Thuan.
• End of the Later Le Dynasty: the name Lower Temple was officially used and has remained to this day.

In 1992, Lower Temple was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Historical and Cultural Site, affirming the important historical and cultural value of this monument.

Spring pilgrimage at Lower Temple Tuyen Quang (Source: Vietnam Travel)

2. Who is worshiped at Lower Temple Tuyen Quang? The legend of the temple's formation

Lower Temple is dedicated to the Holy Mother Thượng Thiên, the highest deity in the system of the Three Holy Mothers of the Vietnamese Mother worship belief. This deity is often identified with Mother Liễu Hạnh – one of the “Four Immortals” in Vietnamese folklore.

According to legend, Lower Temple is associated with the story of two princesses, daughters of King Hùng, named Phương Dung and Ngọc Lân. During one of their excursions to survey the locality, the two princesses stopped their boat by the Lo River. In the midst of a stormy night, the two princesses suddenly transformed into beams of light ascending to the sky.

Lower Temple is dedicated to the Holy Mother Thượng Thiên (Source: mytuyenquang.vn)

In response to this mysterious event, the local people built a temple to commemorate the two princesses:

• The temple dedicated to Princess Phương Dung was built on the right bank of the Lo River – which is Lower Temple today.
• The temple dedicated to Princess Ngọc Lân was built on the left bank – now known as Upper Temple.

During the war, the temple was heavily damaged, and the locals had to move the worship statue to the village of Ỷ La for protection. Later, the temple was restored on a larger scale in the 19th century.

3. What is special about Lower Temple Tuyen Quang?

One of the impressive features of Lower Temple is its architecture, which is deeply traditional. The temple is built in the style of “internal court external country,” a familiar layout in the ancient temple architecture of Vietnam.

The three-entrance gate of the temple stands out with three red-painted doors. Among them:

• The main door is only opened during major festivals or when carrying the Mother.
• Two side doors are regularly opened for locals and tourists to enter and visit.
• On the roof of the three-entrance gate, the phrase “Hiệp Thuận linh từ” stands out – the ancient name of the temple.

Lower Temple Tuyen Quang - A famous spiritual tourism destination (Source: Vinpearl)

Additionally, the side gate facing the river is designed with four large pillars, each adorned with reliefs of phoenix birds. The intricate carvings on the columns, beams, and crossbars are executed with great craftsmanship, showcasing the four sacred creatures and four precious details characteristic of traditional art.

3.2 Preserving many valuable ancient artifacts

Not only architecturally significant, Lower Temple also preserves many ancient artifacts of historical and artistic value.

Some notable artifacts include:

• Large ancient bronze bell
• Ancient bronze gongs
• Three ancient statues with exquisite designs

The statues in the temple have graceful faces and dignified expressions. Every detail from the folds of the robes, headscarves to hand positions is intricately carved, reflecting the artistry of ancient artisans.

Thanks to these values, Lower Temple has been recognized as a National Architectural and Artistic Monument, becoming an important cultural destination in the Tuyen Quang region.

4. Lower Temple Tuyen Quang Festival

Every year, Lower Temple holds a large festival attracting a large number of locals and tourists from afar.

The festival takes place from the 11th to the 16th of the second lunar month, consisting of two main parts:

4.1 The Ritual

The ritual is held solemnly with many traditional ceremonies such as:

• The ceremony of carrying the Mother’s palanquin from Ỷ La Temple to Lower Temple
• The ceremony of carrying the Mother’s palanquin from Upper Temple to Lower Temple
• The traditional offering ceremony at the main hall

These rituals express the reverence of the people towards the Holy Mother and the deities.

Lower Temple Tuyen Quang: A site associated with the Mother worship belief (Source: MIA.vn)

4.2 The Festival

Following the solemn ritual is a lively festival with many folk cultural activities such as traditional performances, folk games, and community exchanges.

The bustling festival atmosphere has created a unique cultural feature of the Tuyen Quang region.

5. Spiritual tourism spots near Lower Temple

If you have the chance to visit Lower Temple, you can combine it with visiting many other famous spiritual sites in Tuyen Quang.

5.1 Ỷ La Temple

Ỷ La Temple is about 3.5 km from Lower Temple. The temple was built in 1743 and still preserves many valuable artifacts such as royal decrees, ancient statues, and bronze bells.

5.2 Upper Temple

About 4 km from Lower Temple, Upper Temple is dedicated to the Mother Goddess. The surrounding landscape is poetic with mountains and the winding Lo River.

Upper Temple is also one of the ancient temples, famous for its sacredness (Photo: Collection)

5.3 Cấm Temple

Cấm Temple was built in the late 19th century to worship the Goddess of the Forest. The temple is located in a large area with many ancient trees, creating a sacred and ancient atmosphere.

Lower Temple is not only an ancient spiritual architectural work but also a place that preserves many traditional cultural values of the Vietnamese people.

With its beautiful location by the Lo River, ancient architecture, and unique festivals, this place has become an attractive destination in the journey to explore Tuyen Quang. If you have the opportunity to visit this land, don't forget to take the time to visit Lower Temple to pay homage, learn about its history, and feel the sacred atmosphere of an ancient cultural monument.

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Source: Vinpearl