Quarter of Binh Nham Ward in Thuan An Town. Being compared with other
temples, Binh Nham Goddes Temple has the finest beauty of architecture
in the province.
Binh Nham Goddess Temple was constructed in 1914 by contribution of local people worshipping the local goddess and servicing local religious needs. At first, the temple was only constructed with the main hall. In 2002, Binh Nham Goddess Temple was, by the development of its management board, additionally constructed in larger architecture. Binh Nham Goddess Temple as one of the few temples of 100 years old has been through two resistance wars to retain cultural and historical values.
Architectural beauty
Binh Nham Goddess Temple is one of the few temples having prominent appearance of interconnected chambers with the inner chamber as the worshiping hall and the outer chamber as the meeting hall. The worshiping hall is where the goddess is stationed with left, right, front, and back gods. The roof is in ying-yang shape supported by 4 grand pillars of hundred years old. The meeting hall is for troupe to perform and constructed by newer architecture. The pillars and beams of the meeting hall are constructed of cement with Chinese pipe roof tiles and blue ceramic lining tiles. The rooftop is shaped as a boat with twin dragon adoring the Moon in blue ceramic materials. Along the rooftop lining are the ceramic statues in various colors including the Sun, the Moon, fish-turning dragons as the harmonious ying and yang for prosperity and holy sense. The temple architecture is the fine combination of antique and modern features of wood and tiles to create beautify entity under the canopy of trees.
Getting inside the temple we can see large pictures, parallel wood panel wordings, and gilded worshipping place. The works are sophisticate sculpture expressing the topics of the four holy animals (dragon, unicorn, turtle, and phoenix) and four holy plants as well as the images of lotus and water waves. The handicraft items of Binh Duong are also present with the artistic sculpture to create a solemn atmosphere of the hall.
The preservation of historical and cultural values
The temple is not only the place of accepting worshiping items but also the place of spirit and physical lives in large festivals. Annually, the rituals are prepared at the temple from the evening of lunar August 13 through the noon of the next day. The rituals are simple but in solemn processes including the chanting.
The chanting is popular in temple rituals to offer the items to the goddess. Le Thi Don (nicknamed Ba Don) has more than 30 years present at the ritual chanting of the temple. The well-known artist was entitled as elite artist in 2015 before her death to conclude 80 years of her chanting career. Aside from ritual chanting, the dances are attractive to the audience on offering to the goddess.
In public mind, motherhood means the holy protection. As the matter of fact, many have come to Binh Nham Goddess Temple to express their inner and seek for peaceful protection as well as praying for things beyond their outreach. Through years, the temple has stood still to retain within it the historical and cultural relics and values for the next generations.