White Temple in Thailand

Thailand’s beaches are simply wonderful, but the impression of the country will be incomplete without visiting the northern provinces. And especially their attractions. Wat Rong Khun (Wat Rong Khun) or, as it is often called, White Temple (White Temple) in the last decade has become one of the most popular in Thailand. Every year he attracts an increasing number of tourists who seek to see a snow-white miracle.

Wat Rong Khun is not the only white temple in Thailand, in the province of Krabi, in the crab town, built the temple of the same color. However, the white temple in Chiangra is undoubtedly the most beautiful of all white temples that I have ever seen. Wat Rong Khun is so famous in Thailand that his photos are always in the first place for search queries "Chiangra".

Some tourists deliberately bypassing Wat Rong Khun side: it is new, why to watch it? In fact, the significance of the temple is not in the abandonment of the construction, but in the symbolism of ideas. Each detail of the temple carries its meaning and encourages visitors to think about Buddhist teachings telling about the worldly temptations, desires, greed and influence on the mind of people.

The design of the entire temple complex uses pieces of mirrors sparkling in the sun. White Temple Color personifies the purity of the Buddha, and the mirrors symbolize the wisdom of buddha and buddhist teachings. Wat Rong Khun was developed by Thai artist named Chalemchai Kositpipat. Construction of a White Temple began in 1997 and continues until now. The temple is erected by personal money Chamite Kositpipat and donations, like a church of the Big Buddha in Phuket. According to the plan of the artist on the territory there will be nine buildings, including defects, a hall with Buddhist relics, a hall for meditations, residential premises for monks and an art gallery. Perhaps in 50-60 years old we will see Wat Rong Khun in all the magnificence.

Central place in the complex occupies the main building – Decks. Through the reservoir leads the bridge, symbolizing the rebirth cycle. First, with both edges of the bridge, you will see hundreds of hands – this is desires, temptations, greed, human suffering and hell. The path to happiness lies through overcoming such worldly things. Two huge demons guard the road to Nirvana.

The main building is made in the classic style of northern Thai temples with a trother roof and snakes Naga. But if inside the old temples on the walls you can see the murals with scenes from Buddhist history, then in Wat Rong Khun depicts modern ideas about good and evil: Spiderman, neo from the matrix, Batman, villains and superheroes from films, comics and real life. Here you can see the explosion of American twins tower, spewing volcano, nuclear rockets, weapons. And, of course, images and statue of the Buddha. Inside the main building photo and video filming is prohibited. Reproductions of frescoes can be purchased in a souvenir shop. Wat Rong Khun is not the only temple in Thailand with a similar contemporary painting. This is a new course in modern temple painting, and such a surryalistic vision of the world is extremely interesting.

On the territory of the temple complex you can not notice the Golden Building. His color is not accidental. In contrast to snow-white clean, gold symbolizes the concentration of worldly desires and money. Chamchay Kositpipat calls his body while the defection is the mind. Not by chance in such a luxurious gold building is a toilet. Immediately shows the connection between the worship of worldly desires and their real cost.

On the territory of the temple complex many different statues. Here and semi-semi-semi-semi-semi-semoticians of Kinnari, and dragons, and the character of the film predator, and many others.

Entrance to the White Temple is free, tip for the construction of the temple are welcome. You can buy metal petals, write their own desire and hang on a special tree. Visit the gallery with the works of Chamite Kositpipat, where you can see the sculptures and early painting artist.

In Wat Rong Khun it is better to come early in the morning or closer to the sunset so that tourists are not so much. White Temple can be visited with a tour of the Golden Triangle from Chiang Mai.

Location: 15 kilometers from Chiangra on Phahonyothin Road.
Coordinates: 19.824264, 99.763080
How to get there: By taxi or sonGTEO from the bus station near the night bazaar in the center of Chiangra.
Opening hours: from 8 am to 6 pm.