4 Things You Should Know About Wat Chalong Temple

Are you looking to discover inner peace and be spiritually enlightened during your vacation in Phuket, Thailand? Visit one of many temples found in the area, all of which offer a remarkable experience. Of all of them, Wat Chalong is the largest and perhaps the most revered temple. Located eight kilometers outside Phuket Town, the temple sits, awaiting your arrival to discover its magnificence both spiritually and architecturally.

Want to know more about this beautiful Buddhist temple? Keep on reading.

• The Brief History of Wat Chalong Temple

While Wat Chalong is the name most will call the temple, it isn’t the real name. Think of it as a shortened form of the name “Wat Chaiyathararam.”

Built during the 19th century, Wat Chalong was erected and housed two monks: Luang Cho Chuang and Luang Pho Chaem, both tended to the wounded during the rebellion against the Chinese tin miners. The temples served as a haven for those injured and ill who were seeking refuge from the ongoing rebellion.

• The Tower Amidst the Temple

While you’ll find several structures located in the temple area, one that stands out the most would be Phra Mahathat Chedi, the “bone splinter” of Buddha himself. This tower sits in stunning display with its exterior exhibiting intricate designs and carvings.

Speaking of the exterior, the walls of the tower have three levels. The first two levels contain different statues of Buddha in many different poses, which all represent a different phase of his life. The walls also include intricate paintings of Buddha’s life. The third level is a glass chamber, which is said to contain a bone relic of none other than Buddha.

The tower itself is a center of attention and prayer, where devotees come together to learn more about Buddha’s teachings and worship him.

• The Temple Complex Around the Tower

Surrounding the tower are many other different buildings, all of which are aesthetically influenced by all corners of Thailand. Among these different buildings is a large structure that houses the statue of the two monks, Luang Cho Chuang and Luang Pho Chaem, which are aligned with gold leaf.

The gold layer is a sign of respect by the locals who come to the statue seeking wealth, luck, and health.

• The Experience of Visiting Wat Chalong

When you look around the temple, especially in the main building that houses the two statues, you’ll always find someone participating in different rituals, such as offering candles, joss sticks, and many more.

Other than that, taking a walk around the temple complex will greet you with views of stunning gardens and incredible structures, not to mention air filled with beautiful fragrances. All of these, combined, will more than help you reach inner peace, as well as to attain spiritual enlightenment.

Final Thoughts

A visit to Wat Chalong will undoubtedly help you realize the journey of life you’re taking. You’ll come to realize that there is more to life than just work and play, that, perhaps, there is some outside force that plays a massive role in life. Of course, whether you believe in such a power, it’ll be up to you. Indeed, though, you can always take away Buddhist lessons that you can apply to live, such as living the right life, thinking the right thoughts, and so much more. Looking to book a hotel in Phuket? Get in touch with us today to book your stay.