Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam Ward offers incense to commemorate Cao Son Dai Vuong at Kim Lien Temple

On October 3 (August 12, At Ty year), the Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam ward organized the traditional incense offering ceremony on the death anniversary of the Supreme God Cao Son Dai Vuong at the special national relic Kim Lien temple - Tran Nam Thang Long.

At the ceremony, Head of the Department of Culture and Society of Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam Ward Nguyen Canh Quang introduced the historical value of Kim Lien Temple, one of the "Thang Long Tu Tran" with a thousand years of civilization.

Kim Lien Temple (the local name is Dong Lam village, formerly Kim Hoa, later changed to Kim Lien to avoid the taboo name of King Thieu Tri's mother) is located on a high mound, facing Dong Lam lake. The temple worships Cao Son Dai Vuong, an important figure in the Vietnamese pantheon, and two princesses, Tam Ton Nu Dong Ho Truong Vuong Princess and Hue Minh Princess. Cao Son God is always closely associated with the history of construction and sustainable development of the ancient capital Thang Long, today's Hanoi Capital.

Leaders of Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam ward and Dong Da ward offered incense at the ceremony. Photo: Bao Lam

According to legend, Cao Son God was the son of Lac Long Quan, one of 50 sons who followed their mother to the mountain, and later became a close general of Son Tinh (Thanh Tan Vien). He had great merit in fighting against Thuy Tinh and protecting the ancient Van Lang state. During the Le Dynasty, he was also considered to have secretly helped King Le Tuong Duc quell the rebellion and regain the throne. With such great merit, he was awarded 39 royal decrees and was given the title "Cao Son Quoc Chu Dai Vuong".

The organizing committee announced the prayer. Photo: Bao Lam

The historical events of the God were engraved on a massive stone stele in 1510 and erected at Kim Lien Temple in 1772. He passed away on the 12th day of the 8th lunar month at the age of 103. He was given the title "Cao Son Quoc Chu Dai Vuong" by the King. Every year, the local people hold a traditional incense offering ceremony on the 12th day of the 8th lunar month to commemorate the God's merits.

With its unique historical and architectural values, Kim Lien Temple was ranked as a national monument in 1990. In particular, on January 18, 2022, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 93/QD-KGVX to rank the Thang Long Tu Tran complex as a special national monument, including: Kim Lien Temple, Bach Ma Temple, Voi Phuc Temple and Quan Thanh Temple.

People come to offer incense to the Supreme God Cao Son Dai Vuong. Photo: Bao Lam

The incense offering ceremony demonstrates the morality of "remembering the source of water", expressing respect and gratitude to the Supreme God Cao Son Dai Vuong, who has contributed to protecting the mountains, controlling the water, protecting the crops, protecting the people and helping the capital Hanoi, Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam ward to become more and more prosperous, civilized and rich.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/phuong-van-mieu-quoc-tu-giam-dang-huong-tuong-nho-than-cao-son-dai-vuong-tai-den-kim-lien-718288.html