Thousands of pilgrims from Mekong Deltaprovinces, mostly ethnic Khmer, flocked to the Chua Doi (Bat Pagoda) inSoc Trang province during weekend to celebrate the restoration of thefamous monument.
Many were eager to see the newsanctuary dedicated to the Buddha at a three-day inauguration ceremonyheld by the province’s Buddhist Clergy Society that ended on March 7.
The 400-year-old pagoda, which is built in typical Khmer religiousarchitectural style and is famous for the myriad of bats taking shelterin trees in its backyard, was accidentally burned down three years ago.
The incident shocked the Khmer community, but bats did not abandon the pagoda as initially feared.
The restoration, which cost 2.6 billion VND (140,000USD), was kickedoff two years ago by the Institute of Relics Conversation whichpromised to restore the temple to its original shape.
“We’re happy to see the sanctuary back to what it was before,” Lam Renof Vinh Chau District said. “My family paid its respects to the Buddhaand prayed for a good harvest this year.”
Venerable Lam Tu Linh, vice rector of the pagoda, said withoutexpertise and state finding, the restoration would not have beenpossible given the local community cannot afford such a largeexpenditure./.
Many were eager to see the newsanctuary dedicated to the Buddha at a three-day inauguration ceremonyheld by the province’s Buddhist Clergy Society that ended on March 7.
The 400-year-old pagoda, which is built in typical Khmer religiousarchitectural style and is famous for the myriad of bats taking shelterin trees in its backyard, was accidentally burned down three years ago.
The incident shocked the Khmer community, but bats did not abandon the pagoda as initially feared.
The restoration, which cost 2.6 billion VND (140,000USD), was kickedoff two years ago by the Institute of Relics Conversation whichpromised to restore the temple to its original shape.
“We’re happy to see the sanctuary back to what it was before,” Lam Renof Vinh Chau District said. “My family paid its respects to the Buddhaand prayed for a good harvest this year.”
Venerable Lam Tu Linh, vice rector of the pagoda, said withoutexpertise and state finding, the restoration would not have beenpossible given the local community cannot afford such a largeexpenditure./.
