The Bat Pagoda is the only one of all the Khmer pagodas in the Mekong Delta to keep its original roof – a double layered structure covered with coloured tiles and topped with a tower – one of the most beautiful parts of the pagoda.
.jpg)
.jpg)
Each of the pillars supporting the pagoda roof has on its top a divine being known locally as Kemnar or Apsara whose clasped hands in front of her breast welcome visitors.
Within the sanctuary , a statue of Sakyamuni carved from a single block of stone rests on a two metre high throne.
The walls are covered with murals describing the life of Buddha from when he was d baby until he achieved nirvana.
In the orchard stupas hold the remains of the monks who lived at the pagoda before.
Five o’clock in the morning, the bats fly back to hang themselves on the branches of the temple’s fruit trees.
.jpg)
The bats hang themselves on the branches of the temple’s fruit trees
.jpg)
They never come back later than seven or eight in the morning, and they never roost in other pagodas, nor even in trees outside the pagoda grounds.
More surprising is that they never touch the fruit from the temple’s orchard, but will fly hundreds of kilometers to dine on the fruit from trees along the Tien and Hau rivers.
That bats recognise they are at a sacred place and they always appear to respect it.
For that reason… the Mahatup temples of Soc Trang province, in the south – western corner of the Mekong Delta has been known as the Bat Pagoda.
