The Mother Goddess of Infinite Heavens holds the esteemed title of the First Mother Goddess of Heaven in the official scripture of the Four Palaces belief. Historical evidence inscribed on an ancient stone stele reveals that the origin of the shrine, located in Bằng Sở Village, Thường Tín District, Hà Nội, dates back to pre-15th century times. This underscores the precedence of the worship of the Mother Goddess of Infinite Heavens over Mother Goddess Liễu Hạnh (also known as the Second Mother Goddess of Earth in the Four Palaces belief).
In the primary hall of the shrine, the statue of the Mother Goddess of Infinite Heavens is positioned between those of the Mother Goddess of Mountain and the Mother Goddess of Water. This arrangement is rooted in ancient worship customs that predate the arrival of Mother Goddess Liễu Hạnh. Following Mother Goddess Liễu Hạnh’s descent and assumption of the role as the matriarch deity overseeing the Earth Palace, the Mother Goddess of Infinite Heavens conferred upon Mother Goddess Liễu Hạnh the authority to represent the Heaven Palace in the mortal world. Consequently, in other shrines, the statue of Mother Goddess Liễu Hạnh occupies the position once held by the Mother Goddess of Infinite Heavens. Due to Her residence in the celestial realms and infrequent descents, worshippers pay homage to the Mother Goddess of Infinite Heavens at the grand outdoor incense stand.
The Shrine of the Mother Goddess of Infinite Heavens, once an ancient shrine, suffered significant damage in a fire in 2004. A new shrine was subsequently erected on the original site, featuring a layout comprising five halls: the Front Hall, Middle Hall, Upper Hall, Back Hall, and Forbidden Hall.
- Front hall: the altar of the Four Palaces’ Council
- Middle hall: in the middle is the altar of the Three Realms, while on the left stands the Trần Court, and on the right, the Mountain Palace.
- Upper hall: in the middle is the altar of the Shrine’s Princess and her guardians. Within this hall are also the statues of the First Mistress of Heaven and the Third Mistress of Water. The altar on the right is dedicated to the First Prince of Heaven and the Third Prince of Water, while the altar on the left is dedicated to the Seventh Prince of Bảo Hà and the Tenth Prince of Nghệ An.
- Back hall: the only altar hosts the Four Palaces’ Divine Courtiers, Imperial Commissioners.
- Forbidden hall: in the center stands the statue of the Mother Goddess of Infinite Heavens, flanked by statues of the Mother Goddess of Mountain and the Mother Goddess of Water.
At the shrine, there is a couplet engraved on the boards as follows:
【四府靈聲護國保民天下母】
【九重陟降騰雲駕霧地中仙】
• Translation:
“Reputation in Four Palaces, help the nation and protect the people, indeed the Mother of this realm under the heaven.
Manifestation among Infinite Heavens, ride the clouds and mount the fog, truly the Goddess in this world on the earth.”
