Buzz
The Bà Chúa Kho Temple has long been renowned as the sacred maternal shrine of Bắc Ninh. Especially in the early days of spring, people flock to the Bà Chúa Kho Temple to seek blessings, hoping for a prosperous and successful year in their business endeavors.
History of the Bà Chúa Kho Temple
Bà Chúa Kho was born into a poor family in the Quả Cảm village, Hòa Long commune, Bac Ninh City. After marrying King Lý, she returned to her village, mobilizing the people to establish a settlement and cultivate the deserted land. On the year of Đinh Tỵ 1077, she was killed by invaders while distributing food to help the villagers. In honor of her dedicated care for the people, land cultivation, and establishing the temple at the old food storage site in Núi Kho (Bắc Ninh), she is respectfully called Bà Chúa Kho, bestowed the title of 'The Compassionate Deity of Hardships' (The sacred temple of Bà Chúa Kho).
In the early 20th century, the French constructed the Dong Duong paper mill, a large-scale facility covering almost the entire Kho mountain. They had intentions of dismantling the temple, but faced fierce opposition from the local residents.
In 1967, during the U.S. bombardment of North Vietnam, Bac Ninh City, including the Bà Chúa Kho Temple, endured heavy bombing. Despite the widespread destruction, the temple miraculously remains intact to this day.
In 1989, the Bà Chúa Kho Temple was officially recognized as a national historical and cultural relic by the government. The province of Bac Ninh undertook a comprehensive restoration and expansion project, resulting in the grand-scale temple we see today.
Statue of Bà Chúa Kho (Photo: Collection)
Architectural Features of the Bà Chúa Kho Temple
The Bà Chúa Kho Temple is situated on the slopes of Kho mountain, in the Cô Mễ area, Vũ Ninh Ward, Bac Ninh City, Bac Ninh Province. The present-day Bà Chúa Kho Temple follows Nguyen dynasty architecture in the Nhi character style, consisting of 3 front sanctuaries and 3 rear chambers facing south. The main architectural structures include a triple gate, temple courtyard, two ceremonial paths, front sanctuaries, second ceremonial chamber, and the rear chambers. Together, they create a unified and solemn complex. Behind the rear chambers of The Bà Chúa Kho Temple, there is a tunnel with a vaulted structure deep within the mountain, crossing through Kho mountain towards the Cau River. According to legend, Bà Chúa Kho built this tunnel during the resistance against the Song army. Currently, the temple preserves many valuable historical artifacts, including two imperial decrees from the Khai Dinh era, bronze statues, silver tridents, ancient porcelain vases, and more.
(Photo: Collection)
(Photo: Collection)
(Photo: Collection)
Immerse yourself in the solemn atmosphere of traditional ceremonies and lively folk games such as cockfighting and tug of war during the festival, capturing the attention of numerous tourists.
Experience the grandeur of the festival with traditional rituals and vibrant folk games. Explore the festivities through captivating images captured during the event.
Witness the spectacle around the temple, where numerous stalls offer ceremonial items. Pilgrims passionately shop for offerings, ranging from simple incense and ancestral money to elaborate feasts featuring plated chicken, sausages, or a tray of assorted fruits, all expressing heartfelt prayers.
During the festival days, the vicinity of the temple buzzes with activity as hundreds of shops sell ceremonial items. Pilgrims engage in bustling commerce, purchasing offerings that vary from basic incense and ancestral money to intricate feasts, including a ceremonial plated chicken, sausages, or a full tray of diverse fruits, all aimed at sincere devotion.
(Image: Collector)
(Image: Collector)
The Temple of Mother Goddess Kho is an ancient relic steeped in millennia of history, a captivating spiritual destination in the Kinh Bac region that comes alive every spring. Over time, the temple has become a sacred place in the folk beliefs, where people come to seek blessings and fulfill their wishes.
