The authorities of Ha Noi’s Hoan Kiem District held a ceremony on June 18 to receive a certificate recognising its Bach Ma Temple as special national relic site.
Leaders of Hoan Kiem District receive a certificate recognising its Bach Ma Temple as special national relic site. (Photo: NDO/Thuy Nguyen)
Bach Ma (White Horse) Temple is among the four sacred temples dedicating to the gods who guards at four gates of the Thang Long Citadel. The three other temples are Quan Thanh, Kim Lien, and Voi Phuc.
Bach Ma Temple was built in Tho Xuong District, Hoai Duc County, (now No.76, Hang Buom Street, Hoan Kiem District) in the ninth century to worship Long Do - a protective deity for the east entrance of Thang Long Citadel.
Experiencing the Ly, Tran and Le dynasties with 52 kings who settled their capital in Thang Long (now Ha Noi), Bach Ma Temple has witnessed the most complete process of the establishment and development of Thang Long – Ha Noi.
The temple was built with typical architectural style of the Nguyen dynasty. It is home to many valuable artefacts including stone steles, king’s orders, antiques, bronze bells, and palanquins for processions.
The Bach Ma Temple festival is held annually on the 12th and 13th days of the second lunar month.