Entries about nga

Following on from my slideshow of Wat Bang Riang, this is of the second structure in the complex at the top of the hill.

Wat Bang Riang is a temple where Buddhist monks reside. The overall atmosphere is very peaceful but once in a while, buses with local visitors stop by to make merit and pay respect to a bell-shaped pagoda. Called Chedi Phutthathambanlue, this 109-metre-tall holy structure is said to house relics of the Buddha.

The 2 enormous, mystical 5-headed Nagas (serpents) standing on each side of the staircase make quite an impressive entrance. Within the temple complex are the gigantic golden Buddha and the tallest statue of Kwam Im in South of Thailand (as well as many of her mini versions in the basement).

You'll also get to see Buddha images of all sizes, in different postures and styles, throughout the premise. There are also Thai guardian figures such as lions, elephants and holy birds, as well as Chinese-style dragons.

There are panoramic views of the district from the top of the hill, with vistas out over the hilly countryside of rubber plantations. On a clear day, you often have small villages and the Andaman Sea, as well as the famous Phang Nga Bay.

Visitors to Wat Bang Riang can explore the temple grounds, which also include other structures, statues, and beautiful gardens. The Chedi Phutthathambanlue is a popular pilgrimage site and a place for devotees to pay their respects and offer prayers.

It's quite beautifully adorned with reliefs and galleries of painting of the Buddha. When I was there, there was some restoration work going on with the paintings.

Wat Bang Riang is a Buddhist temple located in the southern province of Phang Nga in Thailand. The temple is known for its stunning chedi, which is a type of Buddhist stupa that is commonly found in Southeast Asia.

The chedi at Wat Bang Riang is one of the largest and most impressive in Thailand, standing at over 50 meters tall. The structure is made of white marble and features intricate carvings and gold leaf decorations. Visitors can climb to the top of the chedi for panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

In addition to the chedi, Wat Bang Riang is home to several other important religious structures, including a large statue of the Buddha and several smaller chedis. The temple is also surrounded by beautiful gardens and a small lake.

We got here after stopping at the bottom of the hill and looking around the Ubosot in my previous post.

Wat Bang Riang
Quite often people overlook the Wat that has the quite spectacular chedi on the hill further up from it.
I decided to stop, and take in the unusual and novel design of the Ubosot, set on a concrete boat, with a magnificent Naga head as the Bow.
The Chedi at the top of the hill is the main draw, but I enjoyed this bit and was glad I visited it first!

What a truly beautiful situation for a Wat, by the beach! A totally wooden Wat made of Thai Teak, intricately carved window shutters, each panel carved with devotion and great skill.

Information translated from Thai;

Religious place outstanding with the Ubosot, golden teak wood carved with traditional Thai carving patterns, located close to the beach, next to the Andaman Sea.

The full name of this temple is Wat Tesk Thammanawa. It is located in the area under the supervision of the Royal Forest Department. Given permission to be established as Buddhism and Forest Demonstration Center under the supervision of Wat Prachathikaram In the past, the area around the temple was a forest area filled with pine forests and various tropical plants. They are therefore called "Pa Tha Sai" and this place. It used to be a “cemetery” before. due to the past This Tha Sai Forest Local residents and neighborhoods When someone dies, the body will be cremated or buried in this "Tha Sai forest". Which the villagers call it "Ao Rao" or a basin in the cemetery.

Later, Phra Ajarn Winai Rattanawanno, a student of Luang Pu Tesk Tesrangsi, renovated the area and built a teak church at Wat Tha Sai. It is constructed in a Thai style building modeled after Phra Aranyawasee Ubosot, Tha Bo District, Nong Khai Province, to be built with golden teak wood. The church's bouquet is carved by Chiang Mai craftsmen. The outstanding work of Buddhist art is the window panes that have been carved in the most beautiful traditional Thai patterns. When the window is opened, it opens up to the sea. inside teak church with a wall covering with the chairman's altar Enshrined a Buddha image in the posture of preaching, carved from white jade stone, Indian style. His face is full of mercy.

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Credit to: The Sleeping Prophet by Jesse Gallagher

A collection of images from my visit to this strange and surreal Wat, very similar to the one in Korat I visited, Wat Pa Lak Roi, which was my first introduction to Buddhist Hell Gardens.
The images leave nothing to the imagination.

Wat Tham Ta Pan in Phang Nga Town is one of the weirdest original temples in southern Thailand. Located around 100 km northeast of Phuket, the site offers a journey through Buddhist Heaven and Hell.

At first sight, the temple looks a bit abandoned and decrepit, which simply adds to the eeriness of the place. You’ll see a fountain at the entrance, where there are 5 sculptures of monks. Each holds a bowl that represents wealth, beauty, happiness, cleverness, and health. Try throwing a coin in the bowl of your choice. If you succeed in landing one in, your wish will come true.

Heaven Cave
Right next to a small shop, there's a huge Chinese dragon with a wide-open mouth waiting for you to enter. This is the beginning of your ‘journey’ through representations of Buddhist Heaven and Hell. The inside of the dragon has a long and dark tunnel, with just a few tiny windows lighting your path.

At the end of the tunnel, you'll find the entrance to a deep cave. Pray at the small shrine on your left before heading towards the Nirvana section, right at the end of the cave. It takes about a 10-minute walk along a dark track with bridges crossing a river to reach the end, which has 2 Buddha statues symbolising Heaven.

Buddhist Hell ('Naraka' in Sanskrit and 'Na Rok' in Thai) awaits you if you do not follow the 5 precepts of Buddhism during your life:

Abstain from taking life (thou shall not kill).
Abstain from taking what is not given (thou shall not steal).
Abstain from sexual misconduct (thou shall not commit adultery).
Abstain from false speech (thou shall not lie).
Abstain from fermented drink that causes heedlessness (eschew drunkenness).
A visit to Wat Tham Ta Pan can be a really scary experience, so it isn't recommended for young children. Scenes showing torture applied to sinners are vivid and straightforward, leaving no space to the imagination.
An area behind these buildings offers a walk up a cliff through a garden dotted with statues of animals. The cliff displays sculptures and representations of Indian deities, such as Ganesh and Akhilandeshvari.

Wat Tham Ta Pan is a one-of-a-kind temple that's well worth a visit, simply due to its weird originality.

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Title: Mist- by Odonis Odonis