Khmer Xeo Me Pagoda is one of the famous spiritual tourist destinations in Soc Trang – great spiritual support in the community of people in this land known as “the land of warehouses”.
Soc Trang is considered to be home to many of the most famous Khmer temples in the West. If the Mekong Delta region has nearly 500 Khmer temples, there are about 90 in Soc Trang alone. Among them, the most famous are Bat Pagoda, Kh’leang Pagoda, Somrong Pagoda, etc. Not as famous as other temples. However, Xeo Me pagoda occupies a certain position in the spiritual life of the people here. Let’s explore Vinlove this beautiful Khmer temple but few tourists know about this in Soc Trang!
Soc Trang is home to many beautiful Khmer temples. Photo: Viet Fun travel
Where is Khmer Xeo Me Pagoda located?
This strangely named pagoda is located in Vinh Phuoc ward, Vinh Chau town, Soc Trang province. The temple is also known as Muni Sakor Domomphil or Domomphil.
This is also the place where people celebrate the Chol Chnam Thmay New Year together with the major holidays of the Khmer people, contributing to preserving the cultural and religious identity and maintaining the relationship of national unity.
Buddha statue in the temple. Photo: Vntrip
Learn about the name Xeo Me
If given the opportunity d u Soc calendar and visit the lands Xeo Me, you will hear the seniors tell about the history and the name of the land where the temple of the same name is located.
Famous temple. Photo: Tranghight
Legend has it that in the past, this place was accreted by sea waves, so the sand stream was quite fertile early on, very suitable for growing fruit trees such as longan, custard apple, jam cage, … and many kinds of fruit trees. other wild plants such as noni, reed, cycad, holly, toad trumpet,… but most especially tamarind tree.
That’s why people named this area Xeo Me, today in Vinh Phuoc ward. Currently, on both sides of the road from the center of Vinh Chau town (ward 1) towards Bac Lieu city, Bac Lieu province, there are many old tamarind trees reminiscent of the origin of this place name.
The entrance to the Khmer Xeo Me pagoda. Photo: FB Khmer Culture
History of formation and festival at Xeo Me . pagoda
Muni Sakor Domomphil Pagoda (another name for Xeo Me Pagoda in Soc Trang ) was started construction in 1675. Every year this religious work is the place where many big Khmer festivals are held during the year such as the worshiping ceremony of Don Ta grandparents, New Year’s Eve ceremony Chol Chnam Thmay, Ok om bok beautiful nuggets ceremony, moon worshiping ceremony.
Especially on the first day of the Chol Chnam Thmay New Year, the temple always holds a ceremony for the monks to pray for peace to send the old year’s fairies to Heaven and process the new year’s saints. This is an activity to help the poor people to have peace and prosperity.
Temple seen from the main hall. Photo: FB Khmer Culture
On the second day of the Lunar New Year, the temple will hold a ceremony to bathe Buddha, the monks participating are also extremely clean. Khmer Xeo Me Pagoda also expands activities for people to participate with some rules. During the night of the ceremony, the temple and relatives will pray together for the deceased. The next activity is to organize an association for the people to gather together to cook delicious food at the temple.
Standing Buddha statue. Photo: Vntrip
There are also performances of five volley dances, ro hash or du ke singing, which are very unique and attractive, imbued with the Khmer cultural identity of the Southwest region. But the most famous and attractive is the exciting Ngo boat racing festival. Due to the nature and characteristics of this activity, the number of people participating in cheering can reach millions.
Exquisite decorative details. Photo dulichmientay
Especially, the Ngo Soc Trang boat race 2020 at Khmer Xeo Me temple is considered one of the main and most attractive activities in the Ok Om Bok Festival last year of the Khmer people in the Southern region. This can even be considered a large community cultural event, worthy of the regional stature that you cannot miss if you have the opportunity to travel to the West at the end of October every year.
Beautiful images in Ngo Boat Race. Photo: tourdulichmientay
Discover the tourist land of Vinh Phuoc Soc Trang
The place where Xeo Me pagoda is located in Vinh Phuoc ward, Vinh Chau town, Soc Trang province, which is a coastal area with a natural area of 5,103ha. This place has strengths in aquaculture (black tiger shrimp and white-leg shrimp), growing vegetables and fruit trees, especially growing many longans in 3 clusters: Upper Sea A, Upper Sea, Lower Sea. Recently, this Soc Trang tourist destination has focused on developing a model of coastal eco-tourism combined with sustainable agricultural development for local people.
Therefore, today, when coming to Vinh Chau, tourists can not only visit the Khmer Xeo Me Soc Trang pagoda – a religious work that plays a special role in the spiritual life of local Khmer people, admire the beauty of the Khmer people. ancient to every detail of the ancient temple, but also extended the journey to discover the beauty and interesting things of local tourism. Especially for those who love eco-tourism and love going to the garden and going to the beach, this is the ideal Soc Trang destination for you.
Large space. Photo: dulichmientay
It can be said that Khmer temples are always a tourist destination that anyone can hardly ignore in their journey to the West and stop in Soc Trang. Do not hesitate to plan a trip to Soc Trang as soon as the epidemic situation is under control and visit famous and beautiful Khmer temples, from Bat Pagoda, Kh’leang Pagoda to Xeo Me Pagoda. Wish you have a happy and impressive trip!
Photo: Internet