Som Rong pagoda – A Beautiful Soc Trang Khmer Pagoda in Mekong Delta Vietnam is one of the top highlights to see and do in Soc Trang city. The pagoda is well-known for its striking architecture in addition to the stupa and reclining Buddha statue. The pagoda is located at 367 Ton Duc Thang Street, Ward 5, southern Soc Trang Town, Mekong Delta, Vietnam.
Som Rong Pagoda in Soc Trang – Must Know About
Som Rong Pagoda, sometimes also called Patum Wongsa Som Rong pagoda, was built in 1785s following Khmer traditional architectural practice and has been repaired many times. It is widely known as Som Rong Pagoda because there are many local Som Rong trees for a long time in this area. The two-tiered roof of the pagoda is decorated with colored tiles and adorned with sculptures in the shape of Naga, a divine snake from Khmer cultural tradition, with masterful skills. On the top of the pagoda is a pointed tower. Each pillar supporting the pagoda features a nymph named Kemnar, clasping her hands to welcome visitors.
The sanctuary of the pagoda is devoted to a two-meter-high stone statue of Buddha Shakyamuni sitting atop a lotus pedestal about 2m high. Another special feature is the relief decoration, rounded statues or carving of Goddess Reahu (tiger-face design), fairy Kayno (Apsara), sacred bird Krud (Garuda), and the Ogre (Yeak) depicted in the external of the pagoda. The motifs of these external decorations reflect the traces of primitive religions and Brahmanism, which have existed since before Buddhism in the spiritual life of the Khmer.
The stupa is located right at the entrance to the pagoda, parallel to the main hall, built on an area of 100 m2, 25 m high, and is the place to keep more than 400 jars of ashes of the monks, vows, and temple abbot. Instead of the traditional yellow color, the gray-painted tower looks majestic and ancient as carved from monolithic rock. A four-sided tower with four paths representing love, compassion, joy, and discharge, carved many delicate Khmer patterns. The entrance to the stupa is a statue of the Naga snake God. On the tower is a statue of Gautama Buddha meditating.
This is also the very hot check-in point of Som Rong pagoda. The Stupa towered on a strangely beautiful image, radiating a mystical spiritual atmosphere. Many young people choose to check in at sunset when the orange sunlight turns to a fanciful purple color coating each pattern. If you catch the moment when the pigeons flutter their wings on the top of the tower, you will get an image with a beautiful background that vibrates.
Som Rong pagoda is home to the largest giant reclining Buddha statue in Vietnam that was just inaugurated in 2020, with a length of 63m, a height of 22.5m, and a weight of 490 tons. From hundreds of meters away, visitors can see the majestic statue of the Buddha Shakyamuni Buddha. This is the highlight, creating a harmonious beauty in the overall architecture of the Somrong pagoda.
The sala house is the lecture hall and monkhood of Som Rong pagoda, inaugurated in 2017 with an area of more than 1 ha and a total budget of nearly 16 billion. The sala house is a specialized place to receive guests, organize offerings, and great traditional ceremonies. It is an indispensable part of the architectural complex of traditional Khmer temples.
Som Rong Pagoda in Soc Trang
Som Rong Pagoda in Soc Trang
Som Rong Pagoda in Soc Trang
