For the Khmer community living in mekong delta, the pagoda is not only a center for religious and cultural activities but also represents the life of local people. Therefore, Khmer pagoda was built based on the Theravada Buddhist culture through unique architecture and decoration.
The Khmer concept of the Buddha is always with them to protect and bless so they are almost in each village, people volunteered to contribute to build their own temple. In over one million Khmer people living in mekong delta region, there are about 600 Khmer pagodas, including pagodas dating back several centuries, recognized as monuments of national architecture level such as Ang Pagoda, Ong Met pagoda, Hang Pagoda, Doi Pagoda …
Khmer pagoda is usually built on a large plot of land, surrounded by rows of dipterocarpus trees, palm trees or fresh green eucaliptus. The whole structure of a Khmer pagoda is: the gate of the pagoda, the fence, the main throne, the tower, the ramp, the monk living area, the hall… In particular, prominent and most important is the central palace was built in the central heart of the temple.
At each of the Khmer temples, the temple was built in the East-West direction with the concept that the Buddha was always in the West, looking toward the East, where he blessed and saved sentient beings. The pagoda is designed as a triangular body, with three levels, each level is divided into three folds, the middle folds are larger, two folds are two equal, no roof top. At the four corners of the roof of the main roof is decorated with four dragon tails bending to create a soft, flexible feel for the temple.
Khmer pagodaBook our trip for visit Khmer pagoda in Mekong delta.
