Wat Saman Rattanaram, Buddhist temple in Chachoengsao, Thailand
Wat Saman Rattanaram is a temple complex on the Bang Pakong River featuring multiple large statues of Hindu and Buddhist deities. The grounds display a 16-meter tall pink Ganesha figure alongside representations of Guanyin, Indra, and Brahma.
The temple was constructed in the 1980s to showcase both Buddhist and Hindu deities together. This reflects the traditional religious integration that has long existed throughout Thailand.
Visitors select one of eight rat statues matching their birth date and whisper wishes to the Ganesha figure. This ritual connects personal intentions with Hindu devotion in a way that blends both traditions.
The temple is located about 90 kilometers east of Bangkok and is reached by taking a train to Chachoengsao Junction Railway Station followed by a taxi. The early morning is the best time to visit when the grounds are less crowded.
The temple grounds contain a replica of Myanmar's Golden Rock, which houses a pagoda believed to hold a hair of Buddha. This unexpected representation of a famous site from a neighboring country adds a surprising cultural layer to the visit.
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