5 unique and sacred temples
Ngu Linh Tu is one of the 5 most sacred temples in Tien Lang district, including Da Xuyen temple (Dai Thang commune), Ha Doi temple (Tien Thanh commune), Gam temple (Toan Thang commune), Canh Son temple and Bi temple (Doan Lap commune).
Among these 5 temples, the Dai Xuyen temple is honored as the superior Ngu Linh Tu (Center Temple), worshiping 5 Thanh Hoang of the village, nam Hai Dai Vuong, Xa Lau Dai Vuong, Dong Thung Dai Vuong and Pho Te Linh Duong Vuong. According to the folk story, every time it is dry, Tien Lang people hold an island praying ceremony at this temple to pray for favorable rain, good wind, good harvest and good goods.
Doan Lap commune has 2 temples located in Ngu Linh Tu. If the Canh Son stone temple (Van Doi village) has a unique architecture because it is made entirely of stone, with uncovered openings, the Bi temple (Tu Doi village) is impressed by its main wooden architecture. Mr. Dao Van Binh, the caretaker of Bi Temple, said that Bi Temple is the center of the rain-praying festival. The ancients have a saying "When there is a flood, remove the double culvert - When the sky is dry, swim in Bi lagoon". Every time it is dry, people hold a rain-praying ceremony. If it is not raining, a boat racing competition will be held on Bi lagoon, it will rain rain anyway.
The fourth temple in Ngu Linh Tu is the Gam temple - a place of worship and commemoration of Thai Thu Ly Tin - the talented general of the Ly Dynasty. The temple has preserved the tomb with the remains of this general as well as many artifacts from the Ly Dynasty for more than 8 centuries.
The temple with the most majestic architecture in Ngu Linh Tu is Ha Doi Temple, worshiping Senior Lieutenant General Tran Quoc Thanh, a famous general of the Tran Dynasty and the royal court of the Jade Emperor. The temple was built on topography, with an architectural style imbued with the art of the 18th century with many sophisticated and unique features, and is one of the two Ngu Linh Tu ranked as a national monument.
Converging to create intangible cultural heritage
Ngu Linh Tu Festival is associated with the festival of reening and sailing in rain boats of the people in rice-growing areas of Tien Lang district. In the early 20th century, during the dry years, people carried the Saint's pose of the temples in Ngu Linh Tu to Cuu Doi communal house for worship, then returned to Canh Son temple to organize a bridge and swim a boat on Bi lagoon.
After 1945, due to historical conditions, the country was at war, the people actively participated in the resistance war, and the Ngu Linh Tu festival was not held. In 2013, to meet the needs of cultural activities of the people, the People's Committee of Tien Lang district restored the festival. By 2023, Ngu Linh Tu festival will be recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The Ngu Linh Festival from now on is held not only to pray for favorable weather but also to express the people's deep gratitude and appreciation for the ancestors who have merited the people and the country. Every time the festival ends, Tien Lang people excitedly return to their daily lives with the belief that they have been assisted by the gods, giving them more strength to work enthusiastically, produce, and promote their homeland's traditions.
