Giao Thuy district in Nam Dinh province is home to many ancient temples with valuable historical, cultural and architectural features associated with the historical development of the land.
These temple typically include three temples in Hoe Nha historical & cultural relic in Giao Tien commune, and temples of Ha Cat (in Hong Thuan commune), Diem Dien (in Binh Hoa commune), An Lac (in Giao Thien commune) Hoanh Tam and Hoanh Lo (in Hoanh Son commune), Kien Hanh (in Giao Hai commune), Ton Thanh and Binh Di (in Giao Thinh commune), etc.
Kien Hanh temple dedicated to the worshipping of those having important contributions to the historical development the land, including Lenh Chu, Dinh Khac Thanh and Ham Yen, and 16 local lineages.
The temple has a unique architectural and spiritual values with three flat blocks which are interconnected. The main worshipping altars were placed in the middle block.
Ton Thanh temple and Binh Di in Giao Thinh commune classified as provincial relic worships Kinh Trieu Quang Phuc and Great Luminary Nguyen Cong Tru honoring their merit in establishing the land. The 150-year-old temple also honors 20 ancestors of local lineages.
The temple features traditional architectures with sophisticated and delicate decorations of sacred animal symbols of dragon, phoenix, etc and red lacquer and gold paint in roofs, columns and worshipping altars.
Cat Hai temple in Hong Thuan commune is the place keeping historical accounts of ancestors from lineages of Le, Đang, Pham, Hoang, Tran, Vu, Bui, Ha from Thien Ban commune who developed the residential area from wild and coastal land in early 17th century.
The temple worships village tutelage Le Dinh Huong, a general helped King Hung fight off Thuc invaders, and Vu Dich, a mandarin of Le dynasty.
Recognizing its traditional and architectural values the temple was classified as a national historical & cultural relic in 2001 by the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism.
Many ancient temples have been renovated for recent years, thanks to support and donations from individuals and organizations.
Most of these temples annually holds festivals with large scales for preserving and promoting fine traditional values, notably An Lac temple festival in Giao Thien commune and Diem Dien temple festival in Binh Hoa commune.
The temple festive events, including Ton Thanh temple festival in Giao Thinh commune and Kien Hanh temple festival in Giao Hai commune, often feature processions, offering and worshipping rituals, folk games and traditional art performances, attracting large numbers of locals and visitors.
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