Guide To the Temples and Pagodas of Vietnam: #17 Bai Dinh Temple

The Bai Dinh Temple is Buddhist place of worship and a cultural complex in Ninh Binh Province. It is on Bau Dinh Mountain and consists of the original Temple together with a newer and larger temple. It is extremely important for Buddhists and is the largest Buddhist temple in Vietnam. * This is one of the main attractions of Ninh Binh Province, along with Bich Dong, Phat Diem Cathedral, Tam Coc and the original capital of Vietnam, Hoa Lu.

Ths is a very important place for Buddhism in Vietnam
This is a huge complex by any description, Covering an area of 17,000 acres, that’s 2.7 square miles. It sits in the Ba Rau Hills, foothills of the mountain, by the Hoang Long River. The new part of Bai Dinh Temple houses many structures constructed in several phases. Construction began in 2003 and was finally completed in 2010. The architecture here follows traditional lines, with large halls, courtyards and enclosures. Where it differs from most is in the huge scale. The largest building is,the Tam The Hall which rises to 111 feet at its peak and just under 200 feet in length. Building materials were locally quarried stone together with timber from Ninh Binh and tiles from Bat Trang. Reinforced concrete also had to be employed due to the scale of construction. It does though adhere to traditional Vietnamese style; it has curved finials and corner eaves which rise outward and upward. Interior decorations were specifically chosen to incorporate local handicraft from nearby villages.

The older original Bai Dinh temple pagoda is located in the foothills about half a mile away from the new temple. Access is reached by claiming about 300 stone steps, passing under an ornamental gate to reach the entry point. The temple is located within a series of small caves on the side of the mountain. It is dedicated to shirts of the mountain along with Buddhist Deities.

• It is currently the largest, however a new temple is under construction in Ho Chi Minh City that will dwarf this when completed.

Previously Published:

1: Giac Lam Pagoda https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/the-stunning-giac-lam-pagoda

2: Vinh Nghiem Pagoda https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/saigon-attractions-vinh-nghiem-pagoda

3: The Ong Temple https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/guide-to-the-temples-and-pagodas-of-vietnam-3-the-ong-pagoda

4: The One Pillar Pagoda https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/guide-to-the-temples-and-pagodas-of-vietnam-4-the-one-pillar-pagoda

5: Thai Vi Temple https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/guide-to-the-temples-and-pagodas-of-vietnam-5-thai-vi-temple

6: Phat Diem Cathedral https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/guide-to-the-temples-and-pagodas-of-vietnam-6-phat-diem-cathedral

7: Linh Phuc Pagoda https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/guide-to-the-temples-and-pagodas-of-vietnam-7-linh-phuoc-pagoda

8: Bich Dong Pagoda https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/guide-to-the-temples-and-pagodas-of-vietnam-8-bich-dong-pagoda

9 Thanh That Temple https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/guide-to-the-temples-and-pagodas-of-vietnam-9-thanh-that-temple

10: Long Son Pagoda https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/guide-to-the-temples-and-pagodas-of-vietnam-10-long-son-pagoda

11: Phat Lam Pagoda https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/guide-to-the-temples-and-pagodas-of-vietnam-11-phat-lam-pagoda

12: Vinh Nghiem Pagoda https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/guide-to-the-temples-and-pagodas-of-vietnam-12-vinh-nghiem-pagoda

13 Giac Lam Pagoda https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/guide-to-the-temples-and-pagodas-of-vietnam-13-giac-lam-pagoda

14: Tran Quoc Pagoda https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/guide-to-the-temples-and-pagodas-of-vietnam-14-tran-quoc-pagoda

15: Thien Mu Pagoda https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/guide-to-the-temples-and-pagodas-of-vietnam-15-thien-mu-pagoda

16: Phat Diem Cathedral https://steemit.com/travel/@inseasia/guide-to-the-temples-and-pagodas-of-vietnam-16-phat-diem-cathedral

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