An Ma Temple
Bắc Kạn(Đền An Mạ (An Mã))
Overview & history
An Ma Temple stands on An Ma island — a limestone islet about 30 m high covered in greenery — in the middle of Ba Be lake, Nam Mau commune, Ba Be district, Bac Kan province. It is dedicated to the Buddha, the Forest Mother Goddess (Mau Thuong Ngan), the Mountain Princess and Saint Tran Hung Dao.
Legends
The temple is tied to the legend of Ba Be lake: the region was once a fertile valley, but when villagers offended the serpent god Giao Long the land collapsed into a lake, sparing only a kind widow and her son who then rescued the survivors. Another tradition holds that the temple honors Mac-dynasty officers who took their own lives at Puong cave after a defeat; to avoid reprisals from the Le dynasty, locals renamed it An Ma — “peaceful grave”.
Festivals
The temple is the heart of the Ba Be spring festival held on the 10th day of the first lunar month, featuring the Tay people's traditional Long tong (going-to-the-fields) festival, and of the An Ma temple festival on the 6th day of the second lunar month. Boat tours on Ba Be lake customarily stop at the island for incense offerings.
Photos
📷 Contribute photosVisiting tips
- Dress modestly; remove hats and keep quiet inside the main hall.
- Incense, flowers and offerings are usually sold right outside the gate; light an odd number of sticks (1 or 3).
- Most pagodas open from early morning to evening and are free to enter (some major sites charge a small scenic fee).
- Full-moon days, the 1st of the lunar month and Tet are very crowded; visit on weekday mornings for a quiet experience.
- Ask permission before photographing inside shrines; do not touch statues or altar objects.
Read more & references
Useful links to learn more before your visit: