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* Characteristics of the relic
Regarding its date, based on the earliest decree still preserved at the communal house from the 2nd year of the Thanh Thai reign (1890), Chap Le Communal House was built around the mid-19th century.
Chap Le Communal House was built on high, open ground with a total area of 1,140 m2. The facade of Chap Le Communal House faces East. From outside to inside, the overall layout of the communal house is as follows: An phong (Screen), Son Lam Shrine, Ngu Hanh Shrine, Main Hall, East House, Thien Y Shrine, and Nghia Tu Shrine.
Currently, Chap Le Communal House still preserves 03 decrees bestowed by emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty:
- Decree from the 2nd year of Thanh Thai (1890) bestowing honors upon the Village Tutelary God.
- Decree from the 3rd year of Duy Tan (1909) bestowing honors upon the Village Tutelary God.
- Decree from the 9th year of Khai Dinh (1924) bestowing honors upon Thien Y A Na.
A notable point is that the decree bestowed by Emperor Khai Dinh to Thien Y A Na contains the phrases “…as previously worshiped Thien Y A Na… formerly honored as Trang huy duc bao trung hung Thuong dang than… has been granted decrees, authorized for worship…” this indicates that prior to this decree, there were other decrees bestowed upon Thien Y A Na. This means that Chap Le Communal House once possessed more than 03 decrees, but for various reasons, one (or more) of the decrees for the deity Thien Y A Na Dien Ngoc Phi has been lost.
Chap Le Communal House worships the following: the Village Tutelary God, the four deities of the Dai Can National South Sea, Thien Y A Na Dien Ngoc Phi, the Hoang quan Hau Tho Dieu Tu Lady, the Son Lam Lord General, the Five Elements (Ngu Hanh), and Nghia Tu. Since its initial construction, Chap Le Communal House has undergone renovations and restorations in the following years: 1896, 1952, 1971, 1973, and 1995.
According to village custom, the prayer for peace ceremony is held at Chap Le Communal House on the 15th and 16th days of the 2nd lunar month. The festival lasts for 2 days.
On October 14, 2010, the People's Committee of Khanh Hoa Province issued Decision No. 2632/QD-UBND designating Chap Le Communal House as a provincial-level architectural and artistic relic.
