KhLeang Pagoda in Soc Trang: The KhLeang Pagoda, a famous Theravada Buddhist pagoda, is located in Sóc Trăng, a province in the Mekong Delta area of southern Vietnam. The pagoda has a style of architecture resembling Cambodian pagodas. It has a 3,800m2 plot of land covered with sugar palm trees, comprises the main entrance, a sanctum, and a number of wooden stilt homes used for both the monks’ living quarters and for staging traditional rites. Writings from old books that describe the history of Soc Trang and the pagoda are also kept at the Khleang Pagoda. The pagoda is also where the Khmer community of Soc Trang Province holds traditional rites and celebrations such as the Chol Chnam Thmay Festival, Dolta Festival, and Ooc Om Boc Festival. Khleang Pagoda was recognized a National Art and Architecture Monument in 1990.
1. Must to know about KhLeang Pagoda in Soc Trang
- How much: Free
- How long: Half an hour (approx)
- Where: 53 Ton Duc Thang Street, Ward 6, Soc Trang, Mekong Delta, Vietnam
- Must to know: The Khleang Pagoda, which is a popular tourist site for both domestic and international travelers, was recognized as a national cultural historical relic by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism in 1990
- Site beauties: There are many charming Khmer people and the Pôthi school teaches the Khmer language.
2. Architecture & culture
It was initially constructed out of wood in 1533, with a roof covered with palm leaves. Khleang Pagoda has undergone restoration twice since it was built, in 1963 and 1994. Later, brick was used to rebuild the pagoda, and tiles were used to cover the roof. The pagoda is situated on a 3,800m2 plot of land with several sugar palm trees. a variety of wooden stilt homes as well as certain construction projects.
The pagoda contains architectural masterpieces like the main gate, which has three tiny towers with designs, vignettes, and vibrant colors in the manner of the Khmer people; the Sala temple, which serves as a home for bronze artists and their followers as well as a master bronze’s quarters; the stupas that hold the ashes of the dead incinerator; the guesthouse; and the Pôthi school for Khmer language instruction.
It has a sanctum that is the loveliest and most regal, having been constructed in 1918 with a 2 m-high foundation and a space of around 200 m2. A three-layer architectural design with stylized dragons from Khmer culture is seen on the sanctum’s ceiling. Sixty pillars support the sanctuary. The sanctum’s wood doors have patterns etched into them depicting a battle between good (a fairy) and evil (Yeak). The 6.8-meter-tall Shakyamuni Buddha statue, which is seated on a lotus throne, is worshipped in the sanctuary. The murals on the wall depict Shakyamuni Buddha from his birth to his nirvana.
The pagoda still has approximately 120 Pali language books, 70 sprayer books called Tam Tng, and several bibles written on buông leaf. It still has copies of records from an old Khmer bibliography that describe how the temple and other structures in Sóc Trăng were built.
When visiting Sóc Trăng, a place where the three civilizations of Khmer, Hoa, and Viet, many tourists always make a stop at the Khleang pagoda during festival days. Khmer religious, cultural, and spiritual events take place at the Khleang Pagoda in Sóc Trăng. Additionally, it serves as the location for somber rites during festivals including the Chol Chnam Thmay Festival, Dolta Festival, and Ooc Om Boc Festival. Aside from the customary harvest celebrations, the Khleang Pagoda is a popular location for holding festivals with vibrant colors, a drumbeat, a clarinet song, a Lâm Thol melody, Dù Kê singing, and a Răm Vông or Rô Băm classical theater. Additionally, there are entertaining activities like firecrackers, releasing wind light (đèn gió), spinning the top of a fire, etc.
KhLeang Pagoda in Soc Trang
KhLeang Pagoda in Soc Trang
