Four famous “Mrs.” Temples in Hanoi

They are not big but the Ba Danh (Mrs. Danh), Ba Nanh (Mrs. Nanh), Ba Da (Mrs. Da) and Ba Ngo (Mrs. Ngo) attract visitors by their ancient and sacred beauty.

Ba Danh Pagoda

Within a radius of about 5km, the four “Mrs.” temples in Hanoi will give you a fascinating trip.

Located deep in alley 199 on Thuy Khue Road, the Chau Lam Pagoda today is also known as Ba Danh (Mrs. Danh). The pagoda was named after a woman who built it. The stone stele “Ba Danh Pagoda) is still preserved here.

As one of the famous temples of Hanoi, when you come to the Ba Danh pagoda, you will be surprised by its deserted landscape. Not only on weekdays but also full moon days, the pagoda is always more quiet than other temples in Hanoi. It reminds people of the allegory “as quiet as Ba Danh pagoda.”

Some people believe that the allegory was created because in the past, this pagoda was built for the Cham people. After they moved to other areas, this pagoda became quiet and deserted.

However, today the quiet space of Ba Danh pagoda brings relaxation for visitors.

Ba Ngo Temple

Less than 5km from the Ba Danh Pagoda is Ngoc Ho Temple that is known as Ba Ngo (Mrs. Ngo) Temple.

Located on Nguyen Khuyen, few know that this ancient temple is nearly 900 years old. Visitors will see the beautiful and unique religious architecture when they come to the temple.

The first impression is the three-door gate with a 2-story bell tower and 8 curved roofs. A bell is placed upstairs.

Stepping through the gate, visitors will arrive in the precinct with green trees around the place. Behind it are the hall and the harem.

Not only having beautiful architecture, Ba Ngo temple also preserves many epitaphs, parallel sentences and a very large volume of artifacts. Recognized as a historical-cultural monument in 1993, Ba Ngo Temple is a spiritual tourism site in Hanoi.

Ba Nanh Temple

Also located on Nguyen Khuyen Road, visitors will walk about a hundred meters to the Ba Nanh (Mrs. Nanh) or Tien Phuc temple.

There are many legends surrounding the origin of the name of the temple. But the story of an unnamed elderly woman selling tea and soy milk to pupils of Quoc Tu Giam School is more popular. This woman spent all of the life-saving money to build a temple and after she died, the temple was named Ba Nanh.

Like Ba Danh and Ba Ngo, Ba Nanh Temple covers a narrow area but it retains the familiar structure of the ancient temples in the north.

Behind the three-door gates are the altars of Ba Nanh and Buddas. The most notable is the statue of Ba Nanh with a kindly face. Her altar is placed on a rectangular blue black flagstone.

Ba Da Pagoda

Built on the ground of the famous Bao Thien tower of the ancient Thang Long citadel, the today Ba Da pagoda is the headquarters of the Hanoi Buddhist Sangha.

Located in the heart of Hanoi, Ba Da or Linh Quang pagoda is in a small alley of Nha Tho Street. However, tourists are amazed at the ancient and sacred beauty of the temple and its rare and beautiful statues.

The most unique architecture of this temple is the low eaves supported by four stone pillars, carved with exquisite motifs and patterns, depicting the four seasons.

Source: VietNamNet