Architectural and Artistic Relic: Mỹ Phước Temple Mỹ Long Ward, Long Xuyên City

Thursday - 25/07/2024 10:04

Mỹ Phước Temple is located in Mỹ Long Ward, at the heart of Long Xuyên City, An Giang Province. The front of the temple faces the gentle of the Hậu River, surrounded by Lê Minh Ngươn Street (front), Hai Bà Trưng Street (back), Nguyễn Huệ Street (right side), and Phan Chu Trinh Street (left side).

The exact date of the temple’s original construction is unknown, but it was refurbished in 1903 to its current grand state. The temple grounds cover an area of 3,800 square meters, enclosed by a sturdy cement-brick wall with steel reinforcement, stretching 247 meters around the perimeter. Four triple-entrance gates with dual-level roofs make it convenient for visitors to enter, worship, and admire the temple.

Upon arriving at Mỹ Phước Temple, one immediately senses the majestic, ancient architecture, characterized by multi-tiered roofs and imposing gables, which stands in stark contrast to the modern buildings of the young city.

Initially, Mỹ Phước Temple was part of Mỹ Phước Commune, Châu Thành District, Long Xuyên Province. Due to several administrative boundary changes, the temple is now located in Mỹ Long Ward, Long Xuyên City. The temple has four roofs and is flanked by two hundred-year-old trees that provide ample shade. Each rooftop features numerous relief sculptures made from lime mortar and adorned with colorful ceramic fragments, depicting various themes such as dragons, fairies, fish transforming into dragons, and bats. The temple's high foundation is tiled with patterned tiles, and its sturdy round columns are made of Pyinkado wood. The harmonious integration of the interconnected roofs of the main hall, the literature hall, and the front hall creates a spacious environment. The interior is neatly arranged with worship objects. Notable are the intricately carved decorative frames, altar tables, and horizontal lacquered boards, featuring detailed carvings of various subjects such as dragons contesting a pearl, the Eight Immortals, and the Four Sacred Animals. Each carving is meticulously crafted and skillfully executed. Each piece is adorned with floral borders, including branches, flowers, birds, and leaves, all showcasing high artistic value and gilded with radiant gold leaf, enhancing their aesthetic beauty. In addition to high-artifacts such as dragon palanquins, ancestral tablets, and large bronze bells, the temple also preserves a royal decree from the fifth year of Emperor Tự Đức's reign, dated November 29, 1852. This decree honors Lễ Thành Hầu, a military commander and a deity of the imperial court, with the title "Thác cảnh Uy viễn Chiêu Ứng Thành cảm hiến linh, Thượng đẳng thần," the highest accolade for a loyal official who contributed to the development and settlement of frontier lands. The temple worships Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh and the god Thị. Annually, the temple's rituals take place on the 10th, 11th, and 12th days of the fifth lunar month (Kỳ Yên) and include three main ceremonies: Túc yết (a ceremony where village leaders present themselves to the deity), Chánh tế (the main ceremony), and Tiền hiền, Hậu hiền (a ceremony to honor the ancestors who founded the village and temple, as well as local heroes). The Lạp miếu ceremony (a year-end thanksgiving for a successful year) is held on the 10th, 11th, and 12th days of the twelfth lunar month. Besides the rituals conducted by the temple's officials, these events also feature festive activities with lively community participation.

Overall, Mỹ Phước Temple is a rare and valuable relic in An Giang, representing unique and typical architectural art from the Nguyễn Dynasty. It holds historical significance from the early settlement period of the southwestern region of Vietnam, and it is deeply revered and admired by the local community. The architectural and artistic value of Mỹ Phước Temple was recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Information with Decision No. 2233/VH-QĐ dated June 26, 1995.