Buzz
Som Rong Pagoda in Sóc Trăng is a renowned Khmer temple famous for housing the largest reclining Buddha statue of Buddha in Vietnam. It is a unique spiritual destination in the southwestern region of Vietnam.
Som Rong Pagoda, Sóc Trăng
Located on Tôn Đức Thắng Street, in Ward 5, Sóc Trăng City, Som Rong Pagoda captivates visitors with its majestic, palace-like beauty. Built in 1785 using bamboo, wood, and simple thatched roofs, the temple has been restored and rebuilt several times, and its architecture now stands grand and impressive as it does today.
Som Rong is an ancient yet magnificent temple with walls bearing the marks of time. The pathway leading from the gate to the temple is shaded by the large, old sao trees. Som Rong Pagoda is also known by another name, Bôtum Vong Sa Som Rong. The temple covers an area of approximately 5 hectares and includes various structures such as the main hall, sala, monks' residences, and a library.
The architecture of Som Rong Pagoda
The unique architecture of the pagoda is adorned with vibrant colors, reflecting traditional Khmer style. The entrance gate is decorated with intricate patterns, including symbols like the Naga serpent and the Krud bird, all highlighted with golden accents. Above the gate, there are five spires representing Mount Meru, where, according to Buddhist beliefs, five future Buddhas will attain enlightenment, and also where five deities are believed to reside according to Brahmanism.
The temple grounds are divided into various sections. The most prominent feature is the stupa, positioned near the entrance and parallel to the main hall. The stupa has four directions and four entrances, symbolizing the four virtues of Buddhist practice: compassion, kindness, joy, and equanimity. Along the path leading to the stupa, you'll find decorative carvings of Naga serpents and traditional Khmer motifs. The stupa has become one of the distinctive highlights of Som Rong Pagoda in Sóc Trăng.
Special Features of the Temple
Notably, within the temple grounds is a massive statue of Buddha in Nirvana. The statue measures 63 meters in length and 22.5 meters in height, positioned about 28 meters above the ground. The statue is primarily white and light blue, offering a serene and elegant appearance. Beneath the statue, there are large halls used for various activities, meetings, and learning by hundreds of monks. This reclining Buddha statue is recognized as the largest of its kind in Vietnam.
Visitors to Som Rong Pagoda in Sóc Trăng can also witness two strange floating stones on the surface of the water. These stones are carefully placed beneath the Buddha’s altar in the Sala hall. Though the two stones are different in size, both weigh 4.2 kg. They have dark brown colors, and their surfaces are not smooth, but instead covered with numerous small, intricate holes.
Many visitors have tried pressing the stones down into the water, but as soon as they let go, the stones slowly rise back to the surface as if they were foam. According to the temple's abbot, these stones were brought from Cambodia in 2018. Due to the temple's architecture and the mystery of the floating stones, it has attracted many visitors. People from far and wide travel to the temple to witness and pay respects.
According to Mytour.vn
***
Source: Mytour.vn Travel Guide
Mytour.vnAugust 26, 2024
