Phuket has played a significant role in the history of Thailand and is a melting pot of races and cultures. A cornerstone of the Thai tourist industry Phuket has several attractions including temples and shrines. Luxury resort Phuket symbolizes the luxurious comfort high end visitors look for and COMO Point Yamu, Phuket overlooking the Andaman Sea and Phang Nga Bay would be a good choice of accommodation in Phuket.
The striking temple of Wat Chalong in Phuket is visited by thousands of people annually. The temple is beautifully decorated with reflections from a myriad pieces of tiny glass and has several Pagodas The Grand Pagoda dominates the temple and is officially known as Phramahathatchedi Jomthai Baramee Pragat. Here reposes the bone relic of the Buddha. It has wall paintings depicting scenes from the Buddha’s life and several Buddha statues.
The Pho Than Joa Wat Statue is an important statue here and there is also a statue of an elderly gentleman named Ta Khee- lek (Grandpa Khee lek)-famed for having won many lotteries after consulting the PhoThan Joa Wat Statue. Now, Luang Poh Cham’s home exhibits life sized images of three former abbots of Wat Chalong namely, Luang Poh Cham, Luang Poh Gleum and Luan Poh Thunad. It also showcases antique Thai furniture and Benjarong Thai porcelain designed in five colours.
The Phuket Big Buddha sits atop the Nakkerd Hills between Chalong and Kata. Forty five meters tall and twenty five meters across at the base the statue is constructed of reinforced concrete layered with Burmese white jade marble. The small, attractive Wat Suwankhiriket (Wat Karon) is the only temple on Karon Beach. The main building is guarded by two green nagas (serpents) and has intricate carvings depicting scenes from the Buddha’s life. The Wat Phra Thong with its half buried Buddha Statue, Wat Khao Rang with a large golden sitting Buddha Statue are also Phuket temples. Among the Chinese temples in Phuket the Jui Tui Shrine plays a major role in the Annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival.
Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
