Pattaya attracts tourists from all over the globe thanks to its bustling discos. Thai temples are of even greater interest. There are a great many of them in the country. They are located in almost every settlement.
Among them are the Tiger Temple (Tiger Cave) and Wat Sattahip. But most tourists are drawn to the Sanctuary of Truth, Big Buddha Temple, Wat Chai Mongkron, the Temple of Hell and Heaven, and the Orthodox Church.
Each of them has its own characteristics and rules for being on the temple grounds. These should be remembered. It is also a good idea to leave donations at the temple.
The Sanctuary of Truth
This is one of Pattaya’s most interesting and, at the same time, mysterious attractions. Getting here is quite simple:
- On foot,
- By taxi,
- By tuk-tuk,
- In your own car.
The Sanctuary has a long history. Its construction began in the distant 1981. Initially, it was intended to be used for tourism purposes, but the clergy managed to dissuade the millionaire from this action.
Lek Viriyaphan adjusted the purpose of the construction. The structure being erected was intended to unite all the religions of the East, and to bring the desired longevity to the millionaire himself. According to legend, he hoped that as long as the temple was being built, he himself would live. Unfortunately, this was not destined to come true.
The millionaire died in 2000. His son decided to continue his father’s work. The approximate dates for the completion of construction work have been named. It is scheduled for 2025. Such a long period is associated with the need to refine every detail for several months. The architecture of the temple is complex and multifaceted, requiring intense and painstaking work.
The description of the temple cannot be contained in a few phrases. Its unique feature is that it was built without a single nail. The material is mahogany. The sanctuary has an impressive height of 108 meters. It is 100 meters wide. The complex itself occupies about 13 hectares of land.
Several styles were used in the construction:
- Indian,
- Khmer,
- Chinese,
- Thai.
The walls of the temple are decorated with unusual ornaments, and figures symbolizing gods and animals. The idea behind the temple under construction was based on a legend. It was based on the belief that the entire world is built on 7 foundations. These include:
- Father,
- Mother,
- Sun,
- Earth,
- Moon,
- Sky,
- Stars.
The temple is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A dance show is held twice a day.
Big Buddha Temple in Pattaya
This temple, popular among tourists, is located 2 kilometers from the center of Pattaya. It is situated on a large hill, which is called Pratumnak.
Calmness and serenity reign here. An unusually beautiful view of Pattaya unfolds before the tourists. This sacred place definitely deserves attention.
The largest statue of Buddha was erected in 1977. It is covered in gold. To climb up to it, you will need to overcome 120 steps. Sculptures of snakes are located on the sides of the staircase. Each of them is crowned with 7 heads. According to legend, when Buddha meditated for forty days, the Naga Mucalinda protected him by covering Buddha with its large hood.
When going to the temple, you should take a white envelope with you. You should put 20 baht (approximately $0.62 USD) into it. The envelope is left at the temple as a donation. After this, the priest will tie a white knot on the tourist’s hand, sprinkle it with holy water, and read mantras during the sacred ritual.
Incense is sold on the temple grounds. It, along with coins, is offered to the Buddha in the hope of never facing poverty.
Photography is prohibited inside the temple itself. As a bonus, tourists can strike the bell.
Interestingly, they never pray to the Buddha himself. Thais believe that there are patron gods for this. It is to them that the locals turn with their pressing requests.
Buddhist Temple Wat Chai Mongkron
Thais managed to combine the incompatible: a temple and a turbulent nightlife. It is here, in the heart of Pattaya, that one of the most famous temples in Thailand, Wat Chai Mongkron, is located.
A pond was laid out on its territory. You can also find many pigeons here, who benefit from the generosity of the monks. The latter do not mind feeding the feathered creatures during their meditations.
A market is also located here, which operates during holidays. The place favors those who are tired of noisy pastimes and wish to restore inner harmony and balance. You can ask the priest to bless the path of the parishioner.
A school for children, which was opened by the clergy themselves, is located on the temple grounds.
There are many cafes with inexpensive and very tasty dishes in Wat Chaimongkron. Despite this, the temple is practically not popular. Even its ideal location in the very center of Pattaya does not save the situation.
Wat Yan Temple in Pattaya (Wat Yansangwararam)
The temple was built in the 70s of the last century. You can find it 16 kilometers from Pattaya. To get to it, it is best to rent a motorbike or book an excursion service.
Tourists are attracted here by the footprint of the Buddha. While on the top of the hill, you can enjoy the luxurious panoramic views that open up before the visitor’s eyes. The temple is very valuable to the state and is under the protection of the royal family.
The Wat Yan complex is spread over a huge area of 57 acres. In addition to the main one, there are other temples. Beautiful parks and artificial lakes are also of great interest. Harmony and serenity reign here. You can meditate here.
Wat Yan is considered sacred among the local population. In addition to the main temple, there is also a Chinese temple here, which is also very beautiful.
Pattaya Temple of Hell and Heaven
The temple is located only forty kilometers from Pattaya in the city of Ban Saen. You can visit it as part of an excursion or come independently.
Its appearance amazes the imagination of any person. It is a real combination of heaven and hell. In the first part, harmony and tranquility prevail; here you can find sculptures of people who have never sinned. In the second part (in hell), the atmosphere is very oppressive, making it very difficult to stay there.
Orthodox Church
Thais have not forgotten about Orthodoxy either. Thus, an Orthodox church was erected in Chonburi province. It is called the Church of All Saints. Construction lasted 8 months using money left by believers.
The church was consecrated in 2009. It was performed by Archbishop Hilarion of Volokolamsk. The opening of the church took place on the eve of the tenth anniversary of Orthodoxy in Thailand.
You can visit the church any day. It is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you try, you can take part in the Divine Services, which are held at 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
