Dinh Cô Long Hải Temple – Embracing Tradition and Spirituality in a Cultural Tapestry.
Nestled along the shores of Long Hai town, Long Dien, Vung Tau, the Dinh Cô Temple is steeped in local legend. It’s tied to the tale of a maiden lost at sea, honored and enshrined by the coastal community. The temple’s architecture seamlessly blends ancient and contemporary styles, sprawling across a vast expanse. Within its precincts lie the main temple hall and shrines devoted to Quan Thế Âm Bodhisattva, Mother Goddess Sanh, Fairy Goddess Tiên Nương, and the Nine Heavenly Maidens.
The sacred sanctuary on Cô Sơn hill
The historic enclave of Dinh Cô comprises the temple proper, nestled beneath Thùy Vân mountain, and the Cô’s Tomb area, resting atop Cô Sơn hill, flanked by the sea on three sides and located about a kilometer east of the main temple. The temple complex consists of three contiguous buildings with traditional tiled roofs, set against the hillside. The most hallowed ground within is the primary temple hall, housing the altar to Cô, adorned with a half-meter statue clad in crimson robes and crowned with a jade diadem. Adjacent altars honor Chúa Cầu, Diêu Trì Phật Mẫu, and Tứ Pháp Nương Nương, bedecked with flickering candles and fragrant blooms. Further into the temple precincts lies an exhibit space showcasing devotees’ offerings to Cô.
The Dinh Cô Long Hải festival – A Time of Reverence and Celebration
The annual Dinh Cô Long Hải festival, orchestrated by the local fishermen, unfolds over three solemn days, from the 10th to the 12th of the second lunar month, each year. It’s a time to beseech blessings for the nation’s well-being, favorable weather, and communal harmony. Revered as one of the foremost festivals in the Southern region, it draws crowds seeking spiritual solace and cultural immersion. During the festival, the historic site of Dinh Cô is bedecked in resplendent decor, exuding an aura of sacredness. Fishing vessels adorned with lanterns and blossoms converge, all facing Dinh Cô, partaking in the ritual of “Chầu Cô.” As night descends, these illuminated boats pay homage to Cô, seeking her divine favor for bountiful harvests from the sea.