Chalong Temple
Chalong Temple – When you are in Thailand, some of the most impressive things that you are going to notice about the country are the very ornate and majestic Buddhist temples. They are actually not called temples in the country, they are referred to as wats. These wats are so striking that there is no way you are going to miss them. They truly stand out and tourists and locals alike are left to wonder about their incredible charm and grace.
Most Thais subscribe to the Buddhist religion and this explains why you are going to see these wats all over the country. In fact, when you are in Phuket, you should be ready to come across 29 of them all over the island. Of these wats, there is one that really stands out and it is none other than the Wat Chalong.
Wat Chalong is one of the most famous temples in not just Thailand alone but all over southeast Asia. It has been the place of destination for locals and guests alike for more than 100 years. Locals take the place as their site of worship while others like tourists come to meditate, learn about the faith or simply to soak in this architectural wonder of spirituality. Wat Chalong is an iconic symbol of the hospitality and acceptance of the Thai people. From as early as seven o’clock in the morning to five in the afternoon, the temple is wide open for everyone.
What at Wat Chalong?
There is a lot for you to do and enjoy at the Wat Chalong. For example, one of the most prominent sites of attraction there is the Poh Than Jao Wat. It is one of the most revered Buddhist statues in the area. It is situated in an ancient hall in the temple. It stands there alongside two other statues of a beloved local who was known for winning a lot of lottery games after he sought spiritual guidance and good fortune from the holy statue. For the lovers of holy statues, there is another one called Nonsi and it is also in the hall too.
There is another enticing statue of Luang Poh Cham alongside other statues of Luang Poh Gleum and Luang Poh Chuang. These were all holy men who were overseeing the temples in the past. These monks are incredibly revered and respected in Buddhism and it is the regular practice to have their statues in the temples that they once oversaw.
Probably the most attractive area of the Wat Chalong is the Grand Pagoda. This massive pagoda covers the temple that holds the very holy relic that is believed to be a bone of Lord Buddha. The pagoda is fantastically beautiful as it is covered with very colorful paintings on the wall. These paintings are all related to the life of Buddha and you will learn a lot by just taking a look at them all. The atmosphere is very serene and for those who really want something exotic while on Phuket, you definitely have to add Wat Chalong to your itinerary right away!
