Buddhist Temple
Showing posts with label Buddhist Temple. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Buddhist Temple. Show all posts

Wat Rong Khun (White Temple): Creepy Images with Meanings

One of the most recognizable temples in Thailand is Wat Rung Khun or commonly known to tourists as "the White Temple." It attracts huge number of tourists both Thai and foreigners and considered to be one of Chiang Rai's most visited attractions.

Every detail of Wat Rong Khun carries deep religious symbolism that may shock even Buddhist followers, unless they've studied deeply the mysteries of Buddhism. The temple's color being white represents Lord Buddha's purity while the pieces of glass sparkling under the sun symbolize the Buddha's wisdom shining out across the earth and the universe; even the creepy statues and images outside have meanings as well.

History of Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) 

Wat Rung Khun was built by Chiang Rai born visual artist Chalermchai Kositpipat as a center of learning and meditation and for people to gain benefit from the Buddhist teachings.

Before the end of the 20th century, the temple was in a very bad condition. Chalermchai Kositpipat  decided to fund the project using his own money to have the temple restored to its former glory and make it more beautiful in the process. 

In May 2014, a strong earthquake badly damaged the temple. Thanks to the support of international community who urged Chalermchai to not let the temple crumble. The artist answered the support by rebuilding some of the damaged areas.


Getting there

The White Temple is located more or less 14 km outside downtown Chiang Rai. Taxi is the most comfortable mode of transportation. The ride is about 20 minutes and cost between 250 to 300 baht. 

Using a public bus isn't that difficult either. Busses from platform 7 and 8 leave from the old bus station close to the night bazaar in downtown Chiang Rai. Just simply inform the driver or the conductor to drop you off at Wat Rong Khun. The cost is 20 baht each way.


Cost | Opening hours

The White Temple opens daily from 8 am to 6 pm. There is no admission fee but donations are welcome.


Things to remember when visiting the White Temple

Despite the White Temple's unique appearance it's still a sacred place for worship among Thais. Therefore, dressing appropriately is encouraged. Avoid short skirts or shorts for women, and no tank tops for both genders. Refrain from touching sculptures as well.

You can take photos of the things in the temple grounds but doing so within the walls of the temple itself is forbidden. 
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Si Satchanalai, the park I never knew existed

Sukothai is home to two historical parks originally built hundreds of years ago. This was new to me until I got an invitation from our department head to accompany the officials working at the excise department in downtown Phitsanulok, opposite the night bazaar. I've been to the famous one called Sukothai Historical Park located in downtown Sukothai many times in the past. Therefore, hearing my boss that there's another one in the district called Si Satchanalai got me even more excited. 


 We took the university bus and arrived at Si Satchanalai in a two hour trip. It could have been an hour and a few minutes had we not stopped somewhere to pick some of their friends up. 

 Read my post about the one in downtown: Sukothai Historical Park

Si Satchanalai temples are more preserved-looking compared to the famous one in downtown Sukhothai. As you can see from the photos, they looked more like the Angkor Wat in Cambodia. The park doesn't have a wide land area as oppose to the one found in downtown where you need to have a bicycle to cover its entirety. But still, the temple designs (ancient) and the landscape (modern) of the park are amazing. 

So if you have time, please do visit this place. It's a guaranteed time-travel.
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Twice in Lampang - Wat Phra That Lampang Luang

My school journeyed the mountainous province of Lampang last week (Thursday and Friday) to attend the annual sports activities of Rajabaht Universities of the 8 provinces of Lanna. In my four years in the university, only this year I was able to join. 
We made a few stops along the way for the wash room. But because i was dead tired the day before, I slept silently on the bus instead. The only thing other than having breakfast that made me get off the bus was when we arrived in Lampang's Wat Phra That Luang. It looks like a fortress from a far. A citadel of the eighth century fortification that guarded the routes to Lampang.
It was my second visit to the temple but never made a dedicated post of it yet. If you want to see my first Lampang experience you can check out this LINK. 
Anyway, unlike other temples in Thailand especially the popular ones, Wat Phra That Lampang Luang does not posses the modernity of Thai traditional temples. Its courtyard is still sandy and all sides of the prayer hall are still open. Sacred relics that had been worn out by time are open for display near the centre. And if you wish to have a picture backdrop of some artifacts created during the 17th century, you can do so on the right hand side facing the main hall. Tourists can't help but click their shutters.
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Summit Stop - Doi Suthep

They say that a trip to Chiang Mai without Doi Suthep as part of the itinerary would not be complete. This mountain where the Wat Phra Thart Temple stands is viewed by Thai people as a holy place for more than twelve hundred years. It is the center of Buddhism in Lanna (Kingdom of the present day northern Thailand) built in the late 14th century under King Geu Na.
There are two ways to get to the top of the mountain and see the breathtaking view of downtown Chiang Mai and the Ping valley beyond. You can either climb the 306 steps staircase if you are fit enough, or by a cable car which cost 30 baht at the time of this writing. We chose the latter of course :) 
Because of the number of people visiting this holy place, you will surely have to wait for the cable car (if that's what you want). The wait for the cable car will be rewarded though by the grandeur of the magnificent view of the city, and the intricate designs of the temple. There were also living quarters for the monks and a school for novices where they study the teachings of Lord Buddha. 
Doi Suthep is best visited during the winter because of the cool breeze especially at the summit. A perfect getaway in a tropical country that is Thailand. So, what now? I'll see you there, then?
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Grand Tour at the Grand Palace

A day before the calendar welcomed 2011 we checked out one of Bangkok's tourist destinations and the official residence of the Kings of Thailand. From our hotel room somewhere in Pratunam we rode a tuk-tuk for 20 baht per pax and enjoyed a quick tour of the city.
We thought of the Grand Palace as a perfect sightseeing experience because it showcased glittering temples, rich history of the country, and the fact that it was good in photos because it perfectly depicts southeast Asian temples. 
There were soooo many people outside the walls waiting to get in. And because we were in shorts while females were in skirts the security literally blocked our entrance. We were then told to change our outfits because GP was a scared place. 
Just outside the walls anyone can rent sarongs or sort of like fisherman's pants to be allowed inside. Lots of people are doing business such as this by letting people rent their thingies. And that was exactly what we did but i can't remember how much was the rent though. At least prepare a 100 baht. Once inside, i'm sure you will enjoy taking photos of the beautiful temples built in their finest.
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Wat Kiri Wong: A sanctuary in the sky

Thailand is blessed with several temples wrapped in beautiful and intricate designs. They play an important role in everyday life for Thai people in merit making, praying, and such. 

 Among the many temples in the Kingdom, Wat Kiri Wong will always be one of my favorites. It sits on Daowa Dung Hill in Nakhon Sawan province. It houses a replica of Lord Buddha's Footprint and a pagoda encasing the relic of Lord Buddha built when Sukhothai was the country's capital.
We didn't have a concrete plan of visiting Wat Kiri Wong. But since we heard good stories of the temple in question from people who were able to see its magnificent splendor, we decided to give it a go.

 We did not make a mistake because it was indeed beautiful. The temple stands on top of a hill overlooking the entire province in a stunning 360 degree view. Trust me, you're going to love the panoramic view.

Getting by bus

 Nakhon Sawan is only a two-hour drive from Phitsanulok by bus. There is a regular trip from Phitsanulok to Nakhon Sawan (vice versa) every hour or so which cost more or less 100 baht. 

 Air-conditioned buses run daily from Bangkok and Nakhon Sawan which takes about four hours or so that depart from Mo Chit Bus Terminal. For inquiries you can call them at 66-2279-4484-7.

 If you're departing from the North, say, Lampang, the ride takes about five hours and cost 280 baht.

 Getting by train

 Trains run daily from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and stops in Nakhon Sawan Terminal. For further information, ring their Travel Service Division at 66-2223-7010.
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