Keo Hanh Thien Pagoda is located in Hanh Thien village (Xuan Hong commune, Ninh Binh province) and has long been famous as a land of studiousness, called the village of the plank. This place is also known for its peaceful countryside space and unique architectural and artistic relics of the Northern Delta.
The architectural and artistic relic of Keo Hanh Thien Pagoda includes Keo Pagoda (Than Quang Thu) and Keo Pagoda Outside (Dinh Lan Thu). Initially, the pagoda was named Nghiem Quang pagoda, later changed to Than Quang pagoda. Than Quang itself has a history of construction dating back to the Ly Dynasty, built by Zen master Duong Khong Lo in 1061 on the land of Giao Thuy (in the old Nam Dinh province, now Ninh Binh province).
In 1611, the Red River rose, causing the dike to break, flooding and sweeping away the village and the ancient pagoda. After that, a part of the residents in the ancient Giao Thuy area moved to the south of the Red River to establish Hanh Cung village (later changed to Hanh Thien) and built a new Keo pagoda, also known as Keo Hanh Thien pagoda.
Today, Keo Hanh Thien Pagoda is located on a land area of more than 1 hectare, including items such as the outer gate, the inner gate and the bell tower, the model gate, the corridor, the Buddha pagoda, the sanctuary, the ancestral house and auxiliary works. The pagoda is built entirely of ironwood with a column system, because the embankment is delicately carved. The pagoda's architecture is in the style of domestic and foreign works, including 121 continuous rooms, symmetrical layout through the spiritual axis.
The area in front of the pagoda is a peaceful peninsula lake, clear water, reflecting on the ancient bell tower, creating a peaceful, peaceful and relaxing scene for visitors.
With its outstanding architectural and artistic value, Keo Hanh Thien Pagoda was ranked by the Prime Minister as a special national monument in 2016. In 2019, the Keo Hanh Thien Pagoda festival was included in the list of national intangible cultural heritages by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
According to Mr. Nguyen Vu Pho (born in 1959, the head of the temple's look after, Keo Hanh Thien), the pagoda does not have a monk's abbot, all the work of caring for, caring for and guiding visitors to the pagoda's ceremony is done by the villagers.
In addition, the position of head of the family tree is maintained according to the tradition passed down from father to son. Currently, there are 30 captains taking turns guarding the pagoda, each person in charge for 15 days. At night, there will be 2 more people on duty to look after it.
