Unique Khmer pagoda in the West: The pagoda is located halfway up the sky

The Khmer pagoda named Phnom Ta Pa is famous for its unique beauty and is located on Ta Pa mountain (Nui To commune, Tri Ton district, An Giang), with a height of 45 m above ground.

Building the temple on concrete pillars tens of meters high

Phnom Ta Pa Pagoda was built in 1999 on the small Ta Pa mountain, so people often call it Ta Pa Pagoda. From afar, this Khmer pagoda seems to float in the air, surrounded by vast forests and mountains, as beautiful as a painting.

Phnom Ta Pa Pagoda is located on Ta Pa mountain so people often call it Ta Pa Pagoda.

PHOTO: SU CHAU SARUONL

Venerable Chau Sung, abbot of Ta Pa Pagoda, said that the pagoda has a total area of ​​nearly 4,000 ^m2 . Initially, the pagoda was made of wood and thatched. After 4 renovations and repairs, around the end of 2019, the pagoda became more spacious, since then Buddhists and tourists from near and far have known more about it.

Ta Pa Pagoda was built on Ta Pa mountain at an altitude of 45 m.

PHOTO: DUY TAN

The architecture of Ta Pa Pagoda bears the strong features of Khmer Southern Buddhism. The tiled roof has dragons, fish, curved edges, and triangular peaks surrounding a massive tower. One of the most prominent features of the pagoda is the main hall built on the mountainside, with 120 very solid reinforced concrete columns, each column is 5 - 18m high.

From Ta Pa Pagoda, you can see the vast green fields.

PHOTO: DUY TAN

According to the abbot of Ta Pa Pagoda, the process of building the pagoda encountered many difficulties. The mountainous terrain was rugged, and the transportation of construction materials was extremely difficult. The scaffolding used was made of bamboo trees tied firmly with cassock rope (using old cassocks). Thanks to the solidarity and joint efforts, each item was gradually completed.

The tiled roof has fish-shaped dragons, curved noses, and triangular peaks surrounding the impressive, massive tower.

PHOTO: DUY TAN

The sculptures are also very elaborate. The statues as well as the columns are carved with extremely sophisticated and meticulous patterns. Images related to the life of Buddha and the cultural life of the Khmer community are all realistically depicted in the main hall.

Visit Khmer pagoda and admire the beauty of Tri Ton land

In addition to the unique architecture, the path to the pagoda is also a special highlight that many tourists love. The staircase is built quite majestically and flat, making it easier to conquer Ta Pa mountain, as well as the pagoda.

One of the most prominent features of the temple is the main hall built on the mountainside with a very special design.

PHOTO: DUY TAN

According to Venerable Chau Sung, when the main hall was completed, to make it convenient for people to come to the temple, in 2020, the temple built an additional staircase about 70 meters long and 15 meters wide leading from the foot of the mountain to the main hall.

The stairs to the temple were built in 2020.

PHOTO: DUY TAN

Located on high ground, the view of Ta Pa Pagoda is also more special. If you look outside, you can take in the rich landscape of Tri Ton land. At the foot of the mountain are vast green rice fields; when the rice is ripe, the fields are golden like a captivating picture.

The staircase is about 70 m long and 15 m wide, leading from the foot of the mountain to the main hall of the temple.

PHOTO: DUY TAN

If you come to Ta Pa Khmer pagoda during the flood season, you will be immersed in the beauty of the vast water fields, with palmyra palm gardens in the distance. This place is windy, airy, and has cool air, creating a feeling of relaxation and peace for those who visit.

"Tiny" monk teaches Khmer for 5 years

At Ta Pa Pagoda, there is a monk named Chau Soc Thon (32 years old) who is only 1.4 m tall and weighs 45 kg. Every summer, monk Chau Soc Thon teaches Khmer to ethnic children in the area.

Monk Chau Soc Thon teaches Khmer at Ta Pa Pagoda

PHOTO: DUY TAN

"Up to now, I have been teaching Khmer to children for 5 years. This class was opened from the idea of ​​the abbot. The abbot wanted the children to know Vietnamese and Khmer. Many people who met me for the first time thought I was a novice monk about 10 years old. When I said I was over 30 years old, they did not believe me. When I showed them my ID card, they were surprised. I went for a health check-up, the doctor said everything was normal," abbot Chau Soc Thon happily shared.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doc-dao-chua-khmer-mien-tay-ngoi-chua-nam-giua-lung-chung-troi-18524110117234169.htm