XAM THI TEMPLE
Introduction
Xam Thi Temple is located in Xam Thi village, Hong Van commune, Hanoi city, in the eastern area of the commune, along the Red River.
The temple is located near the river and near the dike, with the front facing the Red River and the back facing the Huu Hong dike; part of the temple grounds extends toward the river. This location creates a landscape character associated with the water environment and the local community's worship of the Water Mother.
4. History and values:
Xam Thi Temple is a long-standing religious site associated with the Vietnamese Mother Goddess worship. According to local documents, the temple worships Tam Toa Holy Mothers, among which the Water Mother and Earth Mother are prominent; it also jointly worships deities in the Four Palaces system.
According to folk legends passed down locally, the temple is associated with the reign of King Tran Nhan Tong and the story of the Water Mother's apparition helping the Tran dynasty's soldiers and people during the resistance war against the Yuan-Mongol invaders. However, this is legendary/hagiographic material, which should be distinguished from verifiable historical evidence. Some documents about the temple record royal edicts dating from the 17th century to the early 20th century.
The temple has undergone many repairs and renovations; a major restoration was recorded in 2013. Currently, the overall architecture includes items such as the ceremonial gate, Cau Chin Pavilion, Chua Thac Pavilion, Earth Mother Palace, the Palace of the Mandarins, the Mother Palace, and some auxiliary structures.
Xam Thi Temple has values in history, culture, worship, and artistic architecture, and is a place of religious practice for local people and visitors from afar. The traditional Xam Thi Temple Festival is held annually at the relic site, with ceremonial activities such as palanquin processions, rituals, and cultural, sports, and folk game activities.
Xam Thi Temple is ranked as a city-level historical-cultural relic under Decision No. 2004/QD-UBND dated July 3, 2008, of the Hanoi City People's Committee.
