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If you are a person who follows the "traveling philosophy" and always loves to explore the new on the S-shaped land of the homeland, how can you overlook the Chua Chen Kieu in Soc Trang. The temple is deeply imbued with the culture of the Khmer people living in the Southwestern region, and its architecture brings a solemn atmosphere, faintly hinting at a mystical spiritual flavor. If you are curious about this interesting tourist destination in Soc Trang, why not read the following article from NVK travel.
Chua Chen Kieu Soc Trang has attracted countless domestic and international tourists. If you try searching on Google Maps and reading reviews, you will find that previous tourist feedback is generally positive.
Chua Chen Kieu Soc Trang, also known by another name "Sa Lon", is one of the famous tourist destinations that is no less competitive than other ancient landmarks such as Som Rong, Kh'keang,... This temple is one of the unique religious architectural works in Vietnam, located in Dai Tam commune, with the full official name being Wath Sro Loun.
"Chen Kieu" is actually a familiar term that locals use to refer to this temple area. Compared to the center of Sa Dec city, this location is only 10 kilometers away. Since it is located right on National Highway 1A leading into the city center, getting to Chua Chen is actually very easy. Whether by motorbike or other means such as car or bus, it is all convenient.
Chua Chen Kieu from the broadest perspective
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Chua Chen Kieu Soc Trang was built in 1815, and now more than 2 centuries have passed. In fact, the establishment of this sacred temple is largely thanks to the contributions of the Khmer people in the past.
The materials used to build the temple at the beginning were very simple, directly sourced from the local area such as wood, soil, and leaves. During the time of escalating war, the main hall was heavily damaged by bombing and stray bullets. At that time, from a magnificent "temple", Sa Lon was reduced to just remnants of a glorious past.
However, by 1969, the temple was restored exactly as its original architectural style, with structures including the main hall, sala, bell tower, and area for scriptures. Although it has healed many souls, the temple itself has endured many "deep wounds" throughout its formation journey.
Chua Chen has a long history of formation
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Few people know that Chua Chen Kieu Soc Trang originally had the name Chua Sro Lon or (Sa Lon). The more primitive origin of this name is the word Chron Luong, named after a creek running along the village near the temple. In the beginning, in 1815, the temple was only built with crude materials.
Until 1969, due to a shortage of building materials, the monks came up with a unique idea of receiving bowls and plates donated by the community to use as tiles for the walls. From this bold idea to the actual implementation, the temple has since acquired a unique design, with diverse patterns that cannot be found anywhere else. That is also why the locals call this place Chua Chen Kieu.
The origin behind the name of Chua Sa Lon
When visiting Chua Chen Kieu, tourists will surely be immediately impressed by the structures designed inside.
As soon as you step into Chua Chen Kieu Soc Trang, what directly impresses the "eyes" of tourists is the three-arch gate. The gate is designed with three towers and intricate carvings, painted in vibrant colors according to the Angkor Khmer style.
In the middle above the gate is the tallest tower; if you pay close attention, you will see a glass cage inside. That is the sacred place where a small statue of Buddha sits majestically.
In front of the three-arch gate of Chua Chen are two stone lions placed on a high pedestal facing the road. These two "war lions" act as guardians, helping the temple avoid bad luck and bringing good fortune and blessings to visitors. The last notable point in this structure is the Khmer inscription along with the national language that says "Chua Sa Lon (Chen Kieu)".
The majestic three-arch gate area
Entering the courtyard of Chua Chen Kieu Soc Trang, tourists will immediately feel an unusual peace as they are surrounded by a soothing green from the plants. In terms of area, the temple courtyard is about 2 hectares, impressively planted with tall trees that cool the entire sunny atmosphere.
On that canvas, adorned with fresh flowers, birds flutter around the trees. They contribute to making this temple more colorful and fragrant, creating a tranquil and serene feeling that is hard to find elsewhere. Although the beginning of the courtyard is quite quiet, the "note" of tranquility in the harmonious symphony of trees, flowers, and birds will immediately shift to a higher pitch.
This is because as you go deeper, you will encounter two statues of the god Kayno with the faces of the Apsara fairy. This is the deity symbolizing eternal beauty, while the Garuda bird represents strength. It can be seen that the temple courtyard is an impressive space of intersection, both tranquil yet equally majestic, in perfect harmony.
The area of the serene and solemn courtyard
The main hall is the main worship place, highly regarded for its massive size, accompanied by a series of impressive architectural features. It is surrounded by a combination of main colors such as white, orange, green, and red, creating absolute harmony and solemnity.
The roof of the main hall is designed in a three-tiered style, simply understood as having three layers, with the bottom layer being the largest and the top layer shaped like a triangle, with the middle layer sharply pointed upwards.
On the roof, a series of bells and gongs are hung, reflecting a majestic and brilliant light. The main components of the main hall, such as walls, columns, and roofs, are adorned with many bowls, plates, and ceramics in a very creative way. For new bowls, they will be directly attached to the walls, while old or broken ones will be arranged to create unique patterns.
These bowls are not simply beautiful; they also represent the trust and attachment of the people to the temple. It is easy to understand, as they are the ones who provided and contributed bowls to build this place when the monks lacked funding.
Another interesting piece of information is that the hot and cold bed here is related to the son of Bac Lieu. According to the abbot's account, he bought it from the descendants of this famous character.
Chua Chen impresses visitors in the main hall
Unlike other tourist destinations, visitors to Chua Chen Kieu Soc Trang need to equip themselves with some knowledge. These notes will contribute to making your trip more wonderful than ever.
Being a sacred destination related to the culture and religion of the Khmer people, visitors need to pay attention to wear somewhat modest clothing when entering the temple. You should avoid wearing shorts or short-sleeved shirts as this may be considered disrespectful. If you do not comply with any requirements, the monks may ask the violators to leave immediately.
Should wear modest clothing when entering Chua Chen
Many tourists, when entering the main hall, unknowingly bring their shoes and sandals inside. This is not permitted due to the sanctity of the temple. Therefore, before stepping into the central shrine and offering prayers, please remember to take off your shoes.
Avoid wearing sandals when entering the main hall.
If you visit the temple in the morning, the ideal time for sightseeing is from 7:00 to 9:30. At this time, the sun is not too high, and the surrounding space is enveloped by the lingering morning mist, making it very cool. If you cannot make it in the early morning, you should go in the late afternoon from 15:30 to 17:00, as the sun has begun to set, and the heat is not as intense as at noon.
Visit the temple during cooler times.
Everything related to the Chua Chen Kieu in Soc Trang has been presented to tourists through the article above. Overall, when compared to other religious structures, Chua Sa Lon stands out like a star, shining brightly with its impressively intricate design.
Here, tourists can admire the incredibly sacred landscape and feel the profound spiritual values that permeate the surroundings of the temple. When you have the opportunity to travel to Soc Trang province, and visit this temple, don't forget to use the travel services of NVK travel to ensure an optimal experience.
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