Exploring the Khmer Architectural and Cultural Heritage of Bat Pagoda
Discover Bat Pagoda (Chùa Dơi), an ancient Khmer sanctuary spanning more than 450 years of history, renowned for its resident flying foxes and traditional Kathina festival.
History and Origins of Bat Pagoda’s Name
Bat Pagoda (Chùa Dơi) is a revered religious sanctuary that embodies the rich cultural exchange between the Vietnamese (Kinh) and Khmer communities. In the Khmer language, the temple is named Wath Sêrâytêchô Mahatup (or Serây Tê Chô Mahatúp), signifying a sanctuary created through merit and good deeds. When transliterated by Kinh and Chinese residents, "Mahatup" became "Mã Tộc," leading to its alternative name, Mã Tộc Pagoda.
Construction began in 1569 under the leadership of Thạch Út. More than 450 years ago, the initial structure was assembled from timber and roofed with nipa palm leaves. Over its long history, the complex has undergone several rounds of renovation and repair. In 1960, the main sanctuary hall was extensively rebuilt using durable, modern building materials.
On February 12, 1999, the Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) officially designated Bat Pagoda as a National Architectural and Artistic Monument. Following a fire in the main hall in 2007, the structure was meticulously restored to its original design by April 2009.
Architecture of the Main Sanctuary and Stupas
The Bat Pagoda complex spans four hectares and comprises several key structures, including the main sanctuary (chánh điện), the sala meeting hall, monk quarters, guest reception areas, and stupas containing cremated remains. The main sanctuary reflects classic Khmer architectural tradition, constructed with sturdy brick masonry and topped with glazed tiles.
The sanctuary hall is elevated one meter above the surrounding courtyard. Its multi-tiered roof structure measures nearly 21 meters long and over 11 meters wide, featuring four overlapping layers. The curved roof corners swoop dramatically upward, adorned with sculpted Naga serpent motifs, while a soaring spire crowns the roof ridge. Surrounding the exterior of the sanctuary are rows of load-bearing pillars, each crowned with a figure of the celestial nymph Kemnar with hands joined in prayer.
Inside the sanctuary, a monolithic stone statue of Shakyamuni Buddha sits enthroned upon a lotus pedestal approximately two meters high. The interior also features a statue depicting the Buddha sheltered beneath the protective coils and hood of the serpent king Muchalinda.
The Sala Meeting Hall and Unique Curiosities
Beyond the main sanctuary, the temple grounds open into a lush, shaded space beneath towering heritage trees. Within this area stands the Sala hall, built in the style of traditional communal houses, serving as a gathering place for rest, study, and daily monastic routines.
Scattered across the grounds are stupas holding the relics of former head abbots, alongside towers preserving the ashes of deceased devotees. Additionally, tucked behind the temple grounds are curious burial mounds whose headstones depict five-toed pigs—a rare anomaly compared to typical pigs, which have only three functional toes.
The Flying Foxes and the Traditional Kathina Festival
The name Bat Pagoda is inextricably linked to the dense groves of *sao* and *dầu* trees that envelop the compound, providing shelter for tens of thousands of bats. Every late afternoon, great colonies take to the wing, darkening the skies above the temple courtyard. The resident monks consider the bats an auspicious Buddhist blessing and actively protect the colony.
The resident bats belong to the flying fox species, with adults weighing between 1 and 1.5 kilograms and wingspans reaching up to 1.5 meters. They display striking two-toned fur in shades of golden-yellow and black. Although fruit-eaters by nature, the flying foxes never consume ripe fruit from the pagoda's own orchards, instead flying to distant foraging grounds every dusk.
The most prominent celebration hosted at the temple is the Kathina festival, which takes place annually from the 15th day of the 9th lunar month to the 15th day of the 10th lunar month.
Practical Visitor Information
Bat Pagoda is situated along Van Ngoc Chinh Street, in the Bat Pagoda area, Phu Loi Ward, Can Tho City.
Since 2013, the Bat Pagoda Tourist Area has operated opposite the temple entrance, offering a spacious parking lot and convenient amenities, including electric shuttle carts and the Chùa Dơi Restaurant.