Bat Pagoda (or Ma Tribe Pagoda, Mahatup Pagoda) located in Ward 3, Soc Trang City, associated with a typical architectural complex of Khmer beliefs, was recognized as a national art relic in 1999. This is a place for community activities and traditional Khmer festivals.
From the entrance, you will feel overwhelmed by the brilliant yellow. The temple gate and surrounding walls are elaborately decorated with beautiful patterns. Within 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 temple. The complex is harmoniously arranged with spacious, airy main areas, always open to the sun and cool breeze.
The main hall was built in 1569 with a golden lacquer 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 strolling in the temple garden, under the green and shaded old trees. These vast trees are home to many species of large bats, up to millions. 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 stay and rest. Every night, after feeding everywhere, they gather here, dangling from the branches of trees on the temple grounds like clusters of heavy berries and taking a long nap. Under the shade of the trees and the quiet space of the temple, the bats do not hesitate to look at them curiously, keeping their eyes closed.
Home to bats, this temple is also tinged with mysterious colors with mooks of 5-clawed pigs. According to the Khmer, the 5-clawed pig is the "essence" of humans and the family that raises this pig will face misfortune and turmoil, because of the "crystal" pig. Therefore, in the past 20 years, every house with 5-clawed pigs has been sent to the Bat Pagoda for care and care. This pig breeding area is located about 50m from the pagoda, going from the back gate of the Bat Pagoda.
Photo: Dinh Cong Tam, Trieu Hon Vo/VnE
Huang Diep