Monday, May 7, 2007
Wat Sala Kaew Ku
Nong Khai has one sight that cannot be missed - Sala Kaew Ku (also known as Wat Khaek), located 6 km east of Nong Khai on Highway 212.
This utterly bizarre park of massive sculptures (some over 20m tall) is the handiwork of the mystic Luang Pa Bunleua Sulilat, who bought the land in 1978 when he was kicked out of his native Laos (a similar park of his earlier work remains near Vientiane). Synthesizing Buddhism, Hindu and Confucian ideologies, Buddhas, many-armed goddesses, naga snakes and all sorts of human-animal hybrids dominate the scenery. Entry 10 baht (as a donation, not obligatory). No direct public transport and you might find it a little tricky to get back, so you're best off arranging a return ride with a tuk-tuk (100 baht or so, including an hour's waiting).
Particularly noteworthy is the Wheel of Life, depicting his theory of the cycle of life; you enter via from a womb-shaped tunnel and walk the circle past statues depicting the stages.
Luang Pa's mummified remains are enshrined on the third floor of the Sala Kaew Ku pavilion itself.
(Wiki)
On my trip to Sala Kaew Ku 2004, I had a chance to observe this wonderful place. Regrardless to its immensely religious feature, another great thing is the dimension of the sculptures here. Everything is big, especially some are giant. If you are going to visit Nongkhai, do not miss this place.
Posted by Mystical Orient
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