Visiting Phrae

Visiting Long, Phrae during the festive Songkran celebration in Thailand gave me a glimpse of how beautiful yet rustic the northern part of the country what with its vast rice fields, mountains, and nature bounties. I visited and marvelled at the great architecture of Wat Salaeng, located some distance to the southwest of Phrae.

These will greet you as you enter the main gate of the temple.

I stayed for three days as I had to attend to an ordination of which I will post photographs as the pictures tell the stories themselves. Meanwhile, let me walk you around the expanse of the surrounding area and see the grandeur of the place.

Three seated Buddhas of different postures and shade of colours.

I am a witness to how Thai people revere their Gods in such respect and honour, removing shoes or slippers before performing a wai ( clasping of the hands for prayers) and then bowing three times.

A smaller house of worship.

The strings that are attached to the main entrance are tied to some smaller strings under tents for the religious. When I see how the people tie the strings around their heads and hands, chanting together, it is the best way to pray in unison. As they always say, "If there are two or three that gathers in My name, I am in your midst."

A huge Buddha statue along the main entrance.

Each and every statue that are built along the vicinity are honoured and paid respect with flowers and incense sticks coupled with the proper wai and bow.

Sort of a watch tower as it is located at the western side of the temple.

The architecture itself is embellished with Thai designs making it prominent not just as a watch tower  but as a support to the entire architectural marvel of the area.

A great place for chants and prayers.

Here is where the Great Abbot stood near for the washing of the hands and where the novices gathered in groups of three to pray as a start of their monk hood.

The Old Ubosot

And the main attraction of the temple is this old ubosot (holiest prayer room), hidden by tall trees and greens. I saw each and every monks enter this small place of worship before doing their usual rounds.

I arrived home in the city feeling refreshed admist the heat. My coloration turned brown around the neck and my arms but they will be reminders of how rich and personal my experience were being a visitor and a spectator of something grand.