If you like to discover Vietnam's pagodas and temples but have limited time, let think of this most striking destination - Hanoi - where has very numerous these kinds of constructions with long age, impressive style and interesting related stories.
It is said that there are 4 sacred temples established to defend four directions of East, West, South and North of the ancient Thang Long Capital, which are considered as the spirits of Hanoi. By visiting these temples, your Hanoi city tour will be actually greater.
Bach Ma Temple (White Horse Temple)
In the past, it is said that there was a General named Cao Bien, coming from the North to Vietnam country. In there, he tried to construct Dai La Wall but failed in the magic battle with a God. Due to being scared, he established Long Do temple.
Till 1010, King Ly Thai To moved capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long. The King also tried to rebuild the wall but it was still collapsed though covered up repeatedly. Therefore, the King assigned people to visit and pray at Long Do temple, then, at night, he dreamt of a white horse going out from the temple to all road directions, then came back and disappeared, wherever he went, he left his foot-prints. The King ordered his army to cover up the Wall following to the foot-prints of the white horse, as a result, the Wall was steadily. Long Do God was conferred as the Tutelary God of Thang Long imperial citadel. Since then, the temple was named as "Supreme Spirit from the White Horse" and has been renovated more and more.
This is a typical relic of Hanoi's Old Quarter, now preserved many valuable artifacts like the stelae recording the story of the temple, the legend of Long Do God, the rules of God conferring, local rites along with processes of restoration and renovation dating from Le to Nguyen Dynasties.
Voi Phuc Temple
Located in the WEST of Ancient Thang Long Citadel, today Voi Phuc Temple belonged to Ngoc Khanh Ward, Ba Dinh District. Formerly, ancient Voi Phuc temple hid silently under the canopy of old trees green year-round, next to peaceful Thu Le village.
According to a myth, Righteous Saint – Great King Ling Lang was the 4th prince of King Ly Thanh Tong and Lady Hao Nuong – the 9th imperial concubine. In that time, the military forces of Tong and Chiem were invading the country, these enemies were very strong and the King ordered mandarins to seek and recruit talents to oppose aggression. Hearing that news, the Prince asked the King for a Red Flag, a long Spear and an elephant to fight the invaders.
The messenger happily told the king the whole story, the King immediately offered the Prince everything he requested, added to more than five thousand soldiers along with many horses. Receiving all, the Prince shouted out loudly: “I am the General from the Heaven”. Hearing this shout, the elephant immediately knelt down to the Prince sit on his back. On the elephant’s back, the Prince directed soldiers to defeat the enemies. Therefore, the temple worshiping him is called Voi Phuc temple (Voi: elephant; Phục:kneel), one of four famous Thang Long’s defending temples formerly.
Kim Lien Temple
Kim Lien is a holy temple defending in the SOUTH, where Great King Cao Son was worshiped. As a legend is related, the god is the son of Lac Long Quan and Au Co (first ancestors of Vietnamese people). He was one of 50 children followed their mother (Au Co) up to highlands, who along with Son Tinh fought against Thuy Tinh, bringing peace to people.
Later, Kim Lien village’s residents set up the three-entrance-gate (Tam Quan gate), added some new architectural forms and created Kim Lien temple as now, inside also worship Tam Phu and Mother Gods.
The main house includes “nghi mon” (where carries out primary rites), “dai bai” (to worship) and “cung cam” (the restricted entering area). On parts of the architecture, decorated details are shown vivid, meticulous imbued the style of the Nguyen dynasty’s art. The behind area is a block of three-apartment-houses built of brick and roofed of domestic tiles; inside every house has arches. Kim Lien Temple now still maintains ancient stone stelae erected from 1772, which were carved all stories and compliment articles about the God have been complied since 1510, and 39 conferring decisions of dynasties.
Annually on 16th day of 3rd lunar month, Kim Lien village’s residents organize a traditional festival to repay the favor of the God.
Quan Thanh Temple
Quan Thanh Temple is so-called as Tran Vu Quan, where is the self-improvement place of the hermits and the worship place of Huyen Thien Tran Vu God. According to Vietnam mythology, the god had helped citizens many times from exterminating evil spirits and demons to opposing foreign aggression.
Quan Thanh Temple has solemn architecture with 4 huge pillars in the front, the triple-entrance-gate built on large stone slabs. Besides Huyen Thien Tran Vu statue made of dark bronze, this temple preserves many valuable artifacts, notably, the big bell dating from Ty Dinh year, 1677, and the bronze board from Thieu Tri dynasty in 1841.
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Along with Voi Phuc temple, White Horse temple, Kim Lien temple, Quan Thanh temple together coalesce into four defending temples of ancient Thang Long, the spirits of Thang Long Former Capital.