‘King Lotus' rules over pagoda

 

We decided to visit the ancient pagoda of Phuoc Kien, Chau Thanh District in the southern province of Dong Thap, where the lotus grows miraculously large.

 

The noble beauty of the lotus, the sacred flower of Buddhism, impresses the many tourists who visit the wild wetlands.

 

While lotuses in the North bloom only in summer, the flower blooms in Dong Thap Province year-round. Lotuses are everywhere, but they are most prominently displayed during floating season (between August and November).

 

The kind of lotus in Phuoc Kien may be the most special one. Thanks to its big size, it's called King of Lotus. Local people often refer to it by the name "Lotus Pagoda" because there are many giant lotuses in the ponds.

 

The pagoda was established in the 18th century. It was the revolutionary base in the two wars of resistance against France and the US, said chief monk Thich Hue Tu.

 

In addition to offering fruits to Buddha and monks, the local people brought goods and food to soldiers who stayed at the pagoda during the wars.

 

The pagoda was mostly demolished in 1966 after a US bombing, and then it was rebuilt by the local people.

 

The King Lotus began growing in ponds that were once wartime bomb craters, wowing locals and monks in the pagoda.

 

This kind of lotus has big, thick, spiny leaves measuring 1.5m to 2m in diameter. In the rainy season, the leaves can reach 3m wide. Lotus stems are as big as adult wrists.

 

The front face of the leaves is glossy green, while the other side has many thorns. Mature leaves can "carry" a person weighing up to 80kg.

 

"Not only are lotus leaves so special, but its flowers are charming with a pervasive scent," said Tu. "Lotus flowers bloom twice in three days, and their colour continuously changes."

 

The lotus bud is white in the morning, and the flower turns pink when it's in full bloom. Then it closes and opens again the next day. Each time it blooms, its colour gets darker. The flower is dark purple when it fades.

 

Monk Tu said experts from Can Tho University had visited the pagoda and researched the lotus. They also scattered seeds for growth in other regions, but the lotus can't develop like the one grown at the pagoda.

 

"They said this strange kind of lotus originates from the Amazon, with the scientific name Victoria amazonica or Victoria regia," Tu said. "Originating from South America, it is the largest of the Nymphaeaceae family of water lilies."

 

"After spending time to enjoy sightseeing around the pagoda, they don't miss the exciting chance to stand on the leaves to take photographs."

 

He added, "I suggest that tourists come in September and October of the lunar calendar. It's a good time to enjoy King Lotus. By then, the leaves are very big and thick, filling the pond surface and allowing people to stand on them. The bridge across the pond will help you stand on leaves easier."