Procession ceremony during Cao Son temple festival.

Gom mountain was previously called Co mountain, written in Luc Nam books as follows: "Co mountain lies in the southeast of Cuong Son commune. There are flat peaks standing alone. It looks like a standing elephant on one side. There is a temple dedicated to Cao Son God on the mountain. When it is cloudless, visiting here to pray for blessings is very miraculous”.

Gom mountain lies in the communes of Huyen Son, Nghia Phuong, Cuong Son. It is called Gom mountain because local residents living at the foot of the mountain previously lived on pottery making. Though the craft has lost in oblivion, its name remains. In 1998, a plate of stone pattern, measuring 20 cm x 40cm x 4cm, was found hidden under a large rock in the area.

The mountain is surrounded by stretches of litchi, custard apple, eucalyptus and pine trees. As the temple sits at the altitude of over 400m above the sea level, visitors must walk for nearly one hour to arrive. The mountaintop is very flat. According to archaeologists, it is the vestige of an ancient architecture with a total area of 500 sq.m. The focal point here is a small temple with ancient stone pedestal. An incense burner and offerings are laid on the top pedestal. In front of the major worshipping place is a 1.5m-high altar with an incense burner dedicated to Mother Goddess. Around the temple are worn-out stone blocks.

Cao Son temple on the top of Gom mountain was built a long time ago. In the mind of local residents living around Gom mountain, Cao Son temple is a local cultural and religious center. It is dedicated to Cao Son God from Hung Due Vuong King dynasty who made meritorious service to the people and country. According to the legend, Thuc troops invaded land of the Hung dynasty. Cao Son then received order to take troops to kill the enemies. General Cao Son’s insurgent troops were so strong that they broke the siege in short time. After defeating the enemies, Cao Son rose a horse to the top of Gom mountain and disappeared here (the seventh day of the fourth lunar month).

Offerings in Gom temple.

In order to commemorate him and his service to the people and country, local residents built a temple where they hold a procession from the foot of the mountain to the temple every year. During drought years, they hold a ceremony to pray for water. Apart from holding cultural and spiritual value, Gom mountain also marks historical events during the anti-French resistance war.

Together with the spiritual tour of Tay Yen Tu, Cao Son temple on Gom mountain is an attractive destination for visitors.

Dong Ngoc Duong