If you have the opportunity to travel to the West , you should visit Som Rong pagoda to admire the largest reclining Buddha statue in Vietnam located in the land known as the capital of pagodas and towers.
Directions to the temple with the largest reclining Buddha statue in Vietnam
Address: 367 Ton Duc Thang, Ward 5, City. Soc Trang
Som Rong Pagoda, whose full name is Botum Vong Sa Som Rong, is located at 367 Ton Duc Thang, Ward 5, City. Soc Trang, Soc Trang province. Because the temple is located in the city, right in the central area, it is quite convenient to move.
If you come from the city. From Ho Chi Minh City, it will take you about 6 hours to get to the city center. Soc Trang. To overcome the distance of 231km with convenient traffic, you can choose to travel by private car or bus.
Soc Trang is the capital of pagodas and towers. Photo: Nguyen Thanh Tinh
If you choose to take a bus, you will have a lot to choose from by reputable and quality bus operators from Phuong Trang, Mai Linh to My Duyen. The main running time frames of the Saigon – Soc Trang bus route are 06:30, 07:30, 08:30, 09:30, 11h00, 13h00, 14h00, 20:00, 21:00, 22:30 with fares ranging from 130,000 to 180,000 VND/person depending on the route. on the type of vehicle and the time period you purchased it.
If you like the feeling of backpacking and love to explore the road from Saigon to the West, riding a motorbike is the most appropriate suggestion for you. There are two main routes to Soc Trang as follows:
– Route 1: You start from Saigon and then follow Highway 1 to My Tho city, then continue in the direction of National Highway 60 to reach Mo Cay town in Ben Tre and then go another 14km to cross Co bridge. Fry about 10km. You continue and then turn left onto Highway 53 to reach Tra Vinh city and then continue to move in the direction of Highway 60 to Dai Nga ferry. When you set foot on the other side of the ferry, you have reached the territory of Soc Trang province and are very close to the temple with the largest reclining Buddha statue in Vietnam. If you go this way, your journey is about 150km long.
– Route 2: The second route also with the route starting from Saigon center to Binh Chanh district, you will follow the direction to Binh Thuan intersection to Trung Luong area of Tien Giang. Then you turn right and go straight along Highway 1A to reach Hau Giang province. Continuing to go about 30km, visitors will pass through Nga Bay town before coming to Soc Trang province and visit a very famous temple called Som Rong. Traveling to Soc Trang in this way, your journey will be about 180km long.
Plan to visit the largest reclining Buddha statue in Vietnam. Photo: vntrip
Discover the beauty of the temple with the largest reclining Buddha statue in Vietnam
It is no coincidence that Soc Trang is often compared to the capital of pagodas and towers, the land of many different religions. Because this place converges many architectural works to create a religious complex with bold characteristics of the Kinh, Khmer, Chinese,…
Indeed, coming to Soc Trang , you will visit famous temples throughout the country such as Bat Pagoda, Kh’leang Pagoda, Ba Thien Hau My Xuyen Pagoda, Ong Bon Pagoda,… and especially the temple. There is a giant Buddha statue named Som Rong.
1. Long history
Traveling to Som Rong and visiting Som Rong Pagoda , you not only have the opportunity to visit magnificent and splendid religious buildings but also be attracted by many other unique things.
The first special feature of Som Rong Pagoda is its long history of more than 600 years. According to the monks, the temple was built in 1785, so far it has undergone 12 generations of abbots. From an original temporary temple built of bamboo and leaves, up to now, the ancient temple has taken on a new and more spacious appearance and has undergone many restorations and embellishments.
Som Rong Temple. Photo: thamhiemmekong
Through the stories of local people, visitors will discover the story associated with the temple’s name Som Rong. Legend has it that in the past, this area had a lot of wild plants named Som Rong, especially the area around the temple had more and more trees. This tree has been growing and green for hundreds of years. In particular, at present, in the temple grounds, there are still 2 Som Rong trees lying among many old trees that are tens to hundreds of years old and have become one of the typical features of this ancient temple.
The famous Buddha statue is located about 28 meters above the ground. Photo: Hua Quoc Anh
2. Splendid architecture
Before checking in, visiting and learning about the temple with the largest reclining Buddha statue in Vietnam , take time to explore the unique architecture as well as the space inside the temple. Starting from the temple gate and going about 100m, you will reach the temple courtyard. Right now, delicate and meticulous carved reliefs are appearing in front of you. The reliefs are also decorated with mascots typical of Khmer culture. Stepping deeper inside, the airy space will gradually appear, making everyone forget the heat and the hot sun outside. Visitors will feel the tranquility by the green scenery from the trees running along the path leading to the temple and the contemplation emanating from this unique architecture.
The pagoda becomes more poetic in the late afternoon. Photo: vntrip
In terms of structure, Som Rong temple is also built in the same architectural style as other Southern Khmer temples such as Kh’leang Pagoda, Srolon Pagoda (Chen Kieu Pagoda), Mahatup Pagoda (Bat Soc Pagoda). This religious building has an area of 5ha, including main areas such as the main hall, sala, house for monks, and more specifically, there is a library with more than 1,500 books, dedicated to serving children. Students, local people and Buddhist relatives near and far visit the temple.
The roof of Sala has a statue of Buddha standing on nine dragons. Photo: Thuan Nguyen
But the outstanding work creates the uniqueness of Som Rong Pagoda, no less than the longest Buddha statue in Vietnam, not to mention the stupa placed at the entrance of the temple. This is also the place that is being welcomed and checked in by many young people. With a special architecture consisting of four directions, representing the four states of mind of the Buddha, which are compassion – compassion – joy – discharge, the stupa is also decorated with a pair of Naga snake statues with extremely decorative features. exquisite finesse. The entire tower is painted in gray and white color, simulating the color of ancient block stone, showing deep and ancient features but also not lacking in modern and elegant features.
The whole statue is painted in gray and white color, modeled after the color of ancient block stone. Photo: Tam Nguyen
If you go deeper inside, you will admire the ancient main hall, built according to a very special structure, including: three overlapping roof systems, supported by six rows of pillars and Sala pavilion. New and old lie in harmony. If the new Sala has bold traditional Khmer temple architecture but is covered with impressive colors and is a lecture hall for monks, or only used when receiving guests on holidays), the old Sala still retains the old nostalgia for the past. me.
With unique architecture and a peaceful and quiet space, a common point in famous spiritual tourist destinations, Som Rong temple becomes even more poetic if you come in the late afternoon, when the sun is getting darker. turn off the sun. Because if you come at this time, you can not only go to the temple, pray for peace, but also have more time to take pictures, live virtual with relatives and friends.
The pilgrimage site is crowded every year. Photo: Nguyen Thuan
Special features of the largest reclining Buddha statue in Vietnam
The outdoor statue of Shakyamuni Buddha located on the grounds of Som Rong temple is 73m long, 29m high and weighs 490 tons. The statue alone cost more than 20 billion VND to build.
The famous Buddha statue is located about 28 meters above the ground showing the special position of the Buddha from above so that he can see all things clearly, clearly see the sufferings of sentient beings and protect the animals. people overcome all tribulation. The head and body of the statue are covered with two main colors, white and blue, creating a feeling of both clarity and courtesy. According to the monks in the temple, the statue began to be built in October 2017, and has not stopped improving until now.
A majestic statue in the vast sky. Photo: Tran Vuong Xuan Phu
The statue is 63 meters long and 22.5 meters high. Below the statue, there are also large spaces used for living, meeting and studying scriptures of many monks and monks. From the day there was a Buddha statue, the pagoda also had a rustic name, Soc Trang Reclining Buddha Temple.
The statue of Shakyamuni Buddha entering nirvana is 73 m long. Photo: thamhiemmekong
Because of its huge size, looking from afar, right from the gate area, visitors can see the massive and magnificent statue. The closer you get, the more you feel the range of emotions and nuances of Buddha’s face, expressed through each skillful line, sometimes majestic, sometimes extremely gentle.
Many emotions, nuances of Buddha’s face. Photo: @simon.368
If you can arrange time, you should go to the temple in the afternoon, right at sunset is even more wonderful because that’s when the scenery around the statue becomes magical, sometimes the late afternoon sunlight shines on the giant Buddha. huge, through even the ancient Sala booths, creating a surreal and beautiful fairy. Remember to spend a lot of time taking photos here to get impressive photos.
Below the statue, there are also large spaces used for living and meeting places. Photo: Tran Vuong Xuan Phu
With the above unique and attractive features, since being built and completed, the giant reclining Buddha statue has become the symbolic work of Som Rong Pagoda in Soc Trang.
Buddha’s feet in the sunset. Photo: Tran Vuong Xuan Phu
The largest reclining Buddha statue in Vietnam is located at Som Rong Pagoda, in the heart of the bustling Soc Trang city, but from the moment you step through the gate to the temple, you will immediately feel the strangely peaceful space by the music. The five syllables throb, the sky-shady shade of Som Rong trees and especially the golden sunlight shines on the giant statue in the nirvana posture as if calling for kindness, compassion, harmony, love and help. each other of Buddhists and people around. If you are planning a trip to the West, specifically check-in Bac Lieu and Soc Trang , remember to choose to stop at Som Rong pagoda and spend time admiring the famous Buddha statue of the country of pagodas and towers!
Photo: Internet