Vietnam Pagodas

Bà Đanh Pagoda

Ninh Bình(formerly Hà Nam)(Chùa Bà Đanh)

Overview & history

Bà Đanh Pagoda is a pagoda located in Đanh hamlet, Kim Bảng ward, Ninh Bình province, covering an area of about 10 hectares.

The pagoda faces south towards the Đáy River. The outermost part, adjoining the road and near the riverbank, is the tam quan gate (three-entrance gate) of the pagoda. This structure has an elevated foundation, built five steps higher than the ground, with both ends sealed. The tam quan has three compartments and is constructed with two storeys. The upper storey has two layers of roofs covered with southern-style tiles, and around the wooden floor is a balustrade with decorative balusters. This storey is used as the bell tower, while the three compartments below have a system of doors made from ironwood.

History

Bà Đanh Pagoda and Ngọc Mountain are located to the southeast of Ngọc Sơn commune. Three sides of this heritage site are surrounded by the Đáy River. Before the August Revolution in 1945, the area of Bà Đanh Pagoda was separated from the residential area. The place was densely forested, so few people passed by. Whenever villagers had to go to the pagoda at night, they had to light torches and beat gongs and drums to scare away wild animals. Because of this, there is a folk saying: "As deserted as Bà Đanh Pagoda".

Ngọc Sơn commune was established in March 1976, consisting of four hamlets: Mã Não, Phương Khê, Đanh Xá, and Thụy Xuyên. Before the August Revolution of 1945, each of these hamlets was an administrative commune unit under Thụy Lôi canton, Kim Bảng district, Hà Nam province. After the land reform in 1956, Quế Lâm hamlet (belonging to Văn Lâm hamlet, Văn Xá commune) was merged in as hamlet 15.

In April 1986, Quế township was established. Some hamlets of Ngọc Sơn commune were transferred to the township. Currently, Ngọc Sơn commune is located at the centre of the district capital. The commune lies on traffic route 22, which connects National Road 1A from Ba Đa to Dầu market and up towards Hà Tây (former province). This is a traffic hub for the district to travel to various places. The southern part of the commune borders the Đáy River. From here, it is very convenient to reach Ninh Bình, Thanh Hóa, or go upstream to Hòa Bình.

There are several routes to reach the heritage site:

From Nam Định city, travel to Phủ Lý city, cross Hồng Phú bridge, and follow road 22 for about 10 km to reach the site.

From Phủ Lý city, take a boat upstream on the Đáy River for about 7 km to the wharf in front of Bà Đanh Pagoda.

Photos

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Visiting tips

  • Dress modestly; remove hats and keep quiet inside the main hall.
  • Incense, flowers and offerings are usually sold right outside the gate; light an odd number of sticks (1 or 3).
  • Most pagodas open from early morning to evening and are free to enter (some major sites charge a small scenic fee).
  • Full-moon days, the 1st of the lunar month and Tet are very crowded; visit on weekday mornings for a quiet experience.
  • Ask permission before photographing inside shrines; do not touch statues or altar objects.

Read more & references

Useful links to learn more before your visit:

References

Other pagodas in Ninh Bình

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Chùa Đồng Vũ
Đồng Vũ Pagoda is located in Đồng Vũ hamlet, Đạo Lý commune, Lý Nhân district. According to the inscription carved on the 'Sùng Khánh tự bia' stele, dated to the 4th year of the Nguyên Thống era (1525), the pagoda was built in the early Lê Sơ period, on a raised plot of land, isolated to the south of the village. In the 13th year of Bảo Đại (1937), the village relocated the pagoda to a plot of land to the left of the đình (communal house), facilitating the religious activities of the villagers. At present, the pagoda still preserves many ancient and rare worship objects and valuable works of art, among which the stone khánh (a type of lithophone gong) is particularly notable.
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Chùa Bà Ngô (Ninh Bình)
Chùa Bà Ngô (Ninh Bình)
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Chùa Bái Đính
Chùa Bái Đính
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