When strolling into Hoa Lu Old Quarter (Ninh Binh), many tourists often encounter Mau Temple right at the beginning of the tourist route. Nestled in the space of lanterns and ancient-style architecture, the temple creates a feeling of contemplation, silence, different from the bustling atmosphere around.
This is also one of the first stops for many people before continuing to explore the nightlife area.
Mother Goddess Temple is built in traditional architectural style with three main buildings including the Front Hall, Central Hall and Palace. Not only is it a spiritual destination, the temple is also a place to preserve cultural and historical values associated with the Mother Goddess worship belief of the Vietnamese nation.
In which, Tien Duong is a place to worship Ngu Vi Ton Quan - five officials who play an important role in the Tu Phu system, believed to be the five sons of King Cha Bat Hai Dong Dinh.
Trung Duong is a place to worship the Three Holy Mothers - the Holy Mothers who govern the three regions of Heaven - Earth - Water.
Mau De Nhat Thuong Thien is the one who rules the sky, has the power to create clouds, rain, thunder, lightning, associated with the wet rice agricultural civilization.
Mother De Nhi Thuong Ngan is a protector of forests, mountains, trees, grass, birds and animals, bringing cohesion between humans and nature.
Mother Goddess Tam Thoai Phu is a goddess who governs rivers and waters, closely related to aquatic life and is considered a guardian god for Vietnamese ancestors from the early days of building the country.
The rest, the Hau Cung is located deep in the heart of the rocky mountain. This is the place to worship Princess Tran Dynasty - the person who contributed to helping the people and saving the country. People respectfully call her Quan Chua, carving statues to worship in beautiful natural caves.
In the gentle golden light of lanterns and the sparkling lake next door, Mau Temple brings a strange feeling of peace. Ms. Nguyen Dan Thanh, a tourist from Can Tho, shared: "When I just stepped into the ancient town, I was immediately attracted by the ancient beauty of the temple. The space here is gentle, relaxing, not too crowded as outside".
Also choosing Mau Temple as the first stop, Mr. Tran Van Minh (Hai Phong) said he spent a few minutes offering incense here before starting the journey.
I see this as a meaningful moment of silence, helping the trip have more cultural experiences instead of just sightseeing and checking-in," Mr. Minh said.
Not noisy or rushed, Mau Temple in Hoa Lu Old Quarter has become a stop to help visitors feel more clearly the spiritual culture of the ancient capital. Here, traditional beliefs silently blend with the rhythm of tourism life, creating a unique mark for Hoa Lu Old Quarter.
