Bat Pagoda (or Ma Tri Pagoda, Mahatup Pagoda) is located in Ward 3, Soc Trang City, associated with a typical architectural complex of beliefs of the Khmer people, recognized as a national artistic relic in 1999. This is a place for community activities and traditional Khmer festivals.
From the entrance, you will feel overwhelmed by the vibrant yellow color. The temple gate and surrounding walls are intricately decorated with beautiful patterns. On the temple grounds are hundreds of ancient trees, casting shade throughout the grounds and gardens. Bat Pagoda was built more than 400 years ago, imbued with Khmer culture. The pagoda consists of three main areas: the main hall, the sala area and the ancient church of Thach Chia, who was instrumental in the restoration of the pagoda. The complex is arranged in harmony with the spacious and airy main areas, always open to welcome the sun and cool breeze.
The main hall was built in 1569 with a golden lipstick Buddha statue, about 2m high and many small Buddha statues. The surrounding walls are sharp drawings of Buddhist life.
After visiting all the main areas, visitors can spend time walking in the pagoda garden, under the green and shady ancient trees. These vast trees are home to many species of giant bats, up to millions of bats. This is also the reason why this temple is famous as the Bat Pagoda.
Strangely, the bats here do not eat or destroy the trees in the temple, but they consider this as their home, a place to live and rest. Every night, after foraging everywhere, they gather here, hanging on the branches of trees in the temple grounds like heavy bunches of fruit when they fall and take a long sleep. Under the shade of the trees and the quiet space of the pagoda, the bats did not hesitate to look at the tourists who were curious, just closing their eyes.
As a habitat for bats, this temple is also mysteriously colored with the mook houses of the 5-clawed pig. According to the Khmer people, the 5-clawed pig is the "essence" of humans and any family that raises this pig will encounter misfortune and turbidity, because it is harassed by the "saint" pig. Therefore, in the past 20 years, every house with a 5-clawed pig has been sent to the Bat Pagoda for care and care. This pig breeding area is located about 50m from the pagoda, from the back gate of the Bat Pagoda.
Photo: Dinh Cong Tam, Trieu Hon Vo/VnE
Source: VNN