(SGTT) – Located at the western gateway of the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, Bai Dinh Pagoda (Ninh Binh) is a destination that attracts many tourists because of its massive architecture, imbued with traditional identity. Besides the ancient pagoda built in the 12th century, Bai Dinh Pagoda was completed in 2008 and has now become a famous spiritual tourist destination, attracting many Buddhists and visitors.
Situated on the slope of Dinh Mountain, the highest mountain in the region, with Dam Thi Lake and Hoang Long River in front, Bai Dinh Pagoda has the position of “front water, back mountain”. Coming here, visitors can admire the largest pagoda complex in Southeast Asia, the longest La Han corridor in Asia, the pagoda area with the most La Han statues (500 statues)…
If the daytime scenery makes people easily overwhelmed by the majestic and imposing architecture of the pagoda, the quiet space at night brings visitors to a very different feeling. Therefore, Bai Dinh Pagoda extends its opening hours to 21:00 to diversify the visitor experience.
Because it leans against the mountain, the structures of Bai Dinh Pagoda stretch along the gentle slopes. Passing through the outer Tam Quan is the inner Tam Quan, beginning the journey to learn about the sacred place.
The inner Tam Quan area is brightly lit in the dark blue of sunset. Photo: Viet An
Quiet scene at night. Photo: Viet An
At the end of this road will lead to the La Han corridor running along both sides of the pagoda, each row is about 1.7km long with 500 La Han statues. This corridor leads from Tam Quan to Tam The temple, symbolizing the path to Buddhism of the La Han. The statues are all handcrafted from a special green stone taken from Thien Duong mountain (Ninh Van commune, Hoa Lu district), each statue is about 2m high, including the pedestal up to 2.5m, weighing 2-2.5 tons. Under the skillful hands of Ninh Van stone workers, each statue shows different expressions, shapes, joys, angers, loves, and hates, no statue is the same as another. Among them is also a statue of Buddha Emperor Tran Nhan Tong. Photo: Viet An.
The bell tower is three stories high, built in an octagonal style. Inside is a large bronze bell weighing 36 tons. Below the bell is a bronze drum weighing 70 tons. People still believe that wherever the temple bell rings, Buddha will save all living beings there. Photo: Viet An
In Quan Am Temple, there is a statue of Bodhisattva Quan Am with a thousand eyes and a thousand hands placed in the middle of this 7-room temple. The statue is cast in bronze, gilded, weighs up to 80 tons, and is the largest statue of Bodhisattva Quan The Am in Vietnam. Photo: Viet An
The Patriarch's Palace consists of five rooms, including a 10-meter-high, 100-ton, gold-plated statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, the largest bronze statue of Buddha Shakyamuni in Vietnam. Photo: Viet An
Bao Thien Tower is 13 stories high, the highest floor currently holds the relics of Buddha Shakyamuni brought back from India in 2008. Photo: Viet An
Located at the highest position is the Tam The Temple with 3 Buddha statues 7.2m high, weighing 50 tons. These are images of Buddhas in 3 stages: Past - Amitabha Buddha, Present - Shakyamuni Buddha and Future - Maitreya Buddha.
“In the quiet space of the night, listening to the chirping of insects, enjoying the fresh air on the high hills will make your soul feel relaxed and light. I believe that not only me but many other tourists also feel the same when visiting Bai Dinh Pagoda at night,” shared Ms. Nha Huynh (Quy Nhon).
Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival started on January 6th and lasts until the end of March of the lunar calendar. If you cannot arrange time during the day, you can go to the pagoda in the evening to admire the sparkling scenery under the bright lights and experience the peaceful space of the Zen gate.
Viet An
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