Historic Vietnam pagoda, destroyed in fire, to be rebuilt
18:56 04/03/2009

Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has told the southern Soc Trang province to rebuild its historic Doi (Bat) Pagoda which burned down last month.  

Work on rebuilding the 400-year-old pagoda is expected to cost VND2 billion (US$123,000).

A fire August 16, possibly set off by a candle, completely destroyed the inner sanctum which was home to dozens of Buddha idols dating back hundreds of years and several murals depicting stories of the Buddha.

The pagoda, also known as Mahatup Pagoda, was recognized by the government as a National Cultural and Historic Heritage Site in 1999.

The grounds surrounding the pagoda, built by the Khmer people, are home to tens of thousands of bats that have given the site its name.

Chief Monk Kim Rene said after the blaze that several Buddhists from many parts of the country continued to visited and contributed money for rebuilding the pagoda.

Reported by Truong Cong Kha – Translated by Thu Thuy

Source : thanhniennews.com