It is said that in ancient times, this land was always full of life, with lush green grass and trees, and birds singing happily every spring. However, since people came to reclaim the land and cultivate, the trees gradually withered and died. Every year, when the rains passed, all the water was gone, the land cracked, the trees died, and life became increasingly difficult.
The holy well area was renovated and restored by Dong Van district. |
One day, a shaman passed by, looked at the shape of the mountain and the land and saw that this was a "hidden dragon" area but was blocked by a blocked water vein. He advised everyone to find the place where the water vein was blocked and if the water vein could be cleared, the whole area would be prosperous, prosperous and peaceful. After many days of searching, people found a small stream flowing from the foot of a high rocky mountain range, blocking the northwest of the valley. After examining it, the shaman confirmed that this was the place where the Water God lived, for some unknown reason the Water God did not give water to the valley and the people in the area. Everyone discussed and agreed to hold a ceremony to ask the Water God to give water to the villagers to serve their lives and irrigate the dry valley. After the ceremony, from the rock crevice, water began to increase and flow out in a clear stream, everyone tried to drink it and found it very sweet and cool. The water flowed out and filled the valley, the withered trees gradually turned green again, and people had a source of water for their daily activities, no longer having to go to the other side of the mountain to carry water back. The villagers then built a temple right here to worship the Water God.
Every year, people choose New Year's Eve to pray to the gods for new water, pray for health for themselves and their families, pray for favorable weather, good crops, and a happy and prosperous family. Every month, on the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month, people come to burn incense and pray to the Water God for peace, luck, prosperity, and smooth travel.
People of Dong Van town wash linen at the holy well area. |
According to Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Tan Van, Senior Expert of the Dong Van Stone Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark Network: In fact, this is an underground river, originating from Tia Sang Cave, Ma Le Commune and water appears at this location. In addition, the area above the water appearance point also has traces of an ancient river, formed about 2.5 million years ago. Evidence shows that at the location of the Water God temple on the cave wall, there are stone layers with a lot of gravel and pebbles.
Today, with the legendary meaning of the source of the holy well, Dong Van district has renovated this area, both ensuring the water supply for the center of Dong Van town and recreating the mysterious story of the water source that has been associated with the lives of the people. In particular, the construction of a well and auxiliary items has been carried out, aiming to create new experiential tourism products for visitors, including: Building a new water tank of over 300m3; building water supply pipes, pumps, electrical cabinets; leveling the ground, stream embankment, water barriers, washing steps, bridges across the stream; renovating the current underground location of the holy well, walking paths, local stone-paved yard... with a total investment of over 5 billion VND.
The project is also one of the tourist highlights of Dong Van district. Besides the holy well, the district also built a quai troi and a Mong panpipe - the symbol of the Mong ethnic group on the Stone Plateau. Visitors to Dong Van town and visiting the Old Quarter will learn about the legend of the holy well. Through the mysterious story of the well, it not only leaves visitors with an impression of the journey of exploration and conquest of nature by ethnic groups, but also serves as a lesson on preserving and promoting the values of traditional culture. From there, each place name on the Stone Plateau is a story of great significance that future generations need to remember, cherish and spread further.
Article and photos: My Ly
Source: https://baohagiang.vn/van-hoa/202506/ky-bi-chuyen-gieng-nuoc-than-o-thi-tran-dong-van-13b29aa/
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