Over several centuries of existence, the Stone Temple in Nam Ha village, Tan Thinh commune, Nam Truc district, Nam Dinh is a unique ancient relic of Vietnam, recognized as a relic by the Ministry of Culture and Information by the Ministry of Culture and Information. 1992 art history and architecture.
Stone Temple is an ancient and large structure, located on a high ground, with an area of over 2 acres, located in the middle of a field far from residential areas, around the temple there are many hundreds of years old trees. After many renovations and restorations, the temple now has 4 main buildings and a dance sequence.
Over the years, the Stone Temple still retains its majesty and ancientness.
Many years ago, historians who came here were amazed at a superficial and elaborately designed architectural work.
According to temple manager Nguyen Van Cu, the 5-room worshiping hall was embellished more than 70 years ago, the architecture is completely made of stone, designed and built in the traditional style of the nation. The balustrade of the road is carved with 3 majestic and flexible dragons in the posture of adoring three Chinese characters in three circles, adding to the sanctity of the monument. The dragons here are embossed, strong body, with sharp mane and claws, soft tail blending with flowers and clouds in the style of the Late Le Van Ky (17th-18th centuries).
The pillars in the temple are placed on the fruit pillars with beautiful patterns. The eight stone columns are eight reliefs, embossed with dragons in the pose of flying among soft clouds. Each pavilion of the pavilion has a set of monolithic stone hammock doors.
Each set of connected hammock doors not only creates a connection between the columns, but also is carved very elaborately with majestic tiger faces, millions of leaves merging with the themes: long thang (long thang) flying dragon), dragon roll Thuy (dragon wrapped in jade).
The top of the hammock door is also decorated with many rich themes such as lotus petals, wine gourds, poetry bags, phoenix function letters and very vivid flowers.
Inside the worship hall are two buildings the second and the third. The third court consists of 5 compartments, renovated in 1877. The second court also has 5 compartments, restored in the 4th year of King Thanh Thai (1892).
“Currently, the second court still retains many traditional architectural features, notably the ironwood door with embossed motifs of the two dragons in the middle and the two on the two sides,” said Mr. Nguyen Van Cu said.
Adjacent to the main shrine, there is also an incense burner made in a 3-storey style with a curved roof and a gauntlet. The floors are elaborately and beautifully decorated with embossed motifs according to the themes of the five blessings of the forest, the two dragons of the bridge, etc. In addition, the Stone Temple still retains a lot of ancient worship items such as: Long Dinh palanquin and bowls are very beautiful and valuable.
The pedigree of the temple shows that this place is a relic to worship the three Vu cousins who were Lac generals of the Hung Kings period, in which the youngest brother, Vu Uy, was honored as the village god. There is also an altar for his two brothers, Chinh Ngo and Gia Suu.
In addition to the three Lac generals, in the Da temple, there are also 12 ancestors (the twelve ancestors) of the 12 families who soon came here to establish a village as well as worshiping two great professors of the Hoang and Luu families for local people to remember. their studious tradition, encouraging their children and grandchildren to promote that pride.
