VietnamSurprise – Tra Vinh has a big community of Khmer people so it is also the home to cultural treasures of the Khmer, including the system of more than 140 pagodas.
Khmer pagodas are present in almost all the provinces of the Mekong Delta but Tra Vinh has the highest number of Khmer pagodas. They were built in different historical periods but in architecture, and each Khmer pagoda is a work of art.
Hang (Cave) pagoda
Hang or Kompong Chray pagoda is a Theravada Buddhist pagoda which is located on Highway 54 in Chau Thanh district, about 4 km from Tra Vinh City. Kompong Chray pagoda is called Hang (Cave) pagoda because the pagoda gate is built like a cave, with the length, width and depth of up to 12m.
As an ancient pagoda of over 300 years old, it has beautiful architecture, covered the campus of more than 2 hectares, and with a lot of trees which are the home to thousands of birds. Hang pagoda makes the unique characteristics of the ancient pagoda.
Hang pagoda is also famous for a giant wood sculpture workshop. Through the skillful hands of the monks, from the rustic pieces of wood, vivid statues are created, deeply imbued with Khmer culture.
Ang pagoda
Ang pagoda in the Khmer language is Angkorajaborey, located on Highway 53, group 4, Ward 8, Tra Vinh city, about 5 km from the city center. It was built in the 10th century and restored in 1842. Ang pagoda is one of the oldest pagodas in Tra Vinh and represents the unique architecture of the Khmer pagoda system.
This is the result of a harmonious combination between the fine decorative arts of Khmer culture and colorful designs of Angkorian culture. From the gate, the roof, the poles to the inside architecture, they are dressed up the symbolic shirt of bird heads, Naga snake god and fairies.
If these the statues, pillars in the shapes of bird heads and Naga snake bring about the feeling of powerful majesty of an ancient pagoda, you will find the soft and comfortable familiarity in each curved roof.
In addition to the unique architecture, this pagoda brings about the peaceful feelings with a few hundreds of trees of hundreds of years old and the fresh air.
Vam Ray pagoda
Vam Ray pagoda is the largest Khmer pagoda in Vietnam, located in Vam Ray Hamlet, Ham Tan commune, Tra Cu district.
Although it is newly inaugurated, the pagoda has contributed to the new look of cultural tourism of Tra Vinh and the system of Khmer pagodas in Southern region. By coming here, you will be overwhelmed by the splendid pagoda of Khmer culture.
Vam Ray pagoda is splendid as a golden palace with meticulously carved patterns. Everywhere you will see the color of gold from the dome two pillars, walls, bas-reliefs and statues of gods. Besides, Vam Ray pagoda impresses tourists with its 54m long statue featuring the Buddha Enter Nirvana.
If you go to the pagoda in the right time, you will also have the opportunity to participate in cultural festivals of the Khmer such as the Chol Chnam Thmay (New Year), Dolta (worshiping the ancestors), Ok Om Bok (worshiping the moon), cotton and water offering festivals.
“Cò” (Stork) pagoda
“Cò” or Nodol pagoda is an ancient and big Khmer pagoda in the village of Giong Lon in Dai A commune, Tra Cu district, 40 km north of Tra Vinh City. Nodol pagoda was built in 1677, and it has the unique characteristics of Khmer culture. Coming here, in addition to worship and enjoy the sceneries, you will have a chance to enjoy the beautiful painting made of thousands of white storks while listening to the sound of prayers.
As the home to thousands of storks, this pagoda is named “Cò” pagoda. When visiting this place, you can see storks everywhere in the pagoda.
Source: vietnamnet.vn
