Wat Chalong
Wat Chalong is one of the most popular temples among tourists and residents of Phuket. There are a total of 31 Buddhist shrines on the island.
It is not known for certain when the temple was built, one of the first mentions was in 1837, when Wat Chalong Monastery was rebuilt. After 9 years, the monastery was given the status of a royal monastery, as well as the name Wat Chaiyataram. The monastery became famous thanks to the Thai physician Luang Pho Tu, who lived in it. According to some rumors, he was able to lift even the most hopeless patient to his feet. People from all over Thailand and neighboring countries came to the doctor for treatment. Later, the doctor was appointed rector of the temple. After the death of Luang Pho Chem, Wat Chalong Temple became a place of worship, and many Thais flocked here in the hope of healing. They believe that even after death, a doctor can cure the sick. The memory of the healer was immortalized in a sculpture that was erected in a Buddhist shrine.
Believers left a lot of money here, which they used in 1978 for another reconstruction of the temple. For this purpose, viharas (buildings where Buddhists live), ubosot (main temple), and pavilions were built. This is how Wat Chalong Temple became one of the most elegant and regal in the country.
It is worth noting that only monks can enter the main temple, and even then at a certain time. Tourists should also think about clothes. They won't let you in here in shorts or underwear. Once in the temple, it is worth going to the stupa in which the humerus of the Buddha lies. The shrine was presented by Sri Lanka to the King of Thailand on the occasion of his birthday in 1999. Tourists will also be able to find out their fate in the temple complex, for this they need to go to the prayer hall. There are tin boxes with chopsticks in the hall, it is necessary to shake the box until the wand with the number falls out, if several fall out, then put them back and shake until one falls. After that, he will go with the wand to the numbered cabinets, find a cabinet where the number of the wand and the cabinet match. There's a prophecy in the closet, and it's a shame that the predictions were written only in Chinese and Thai. There are also small blocks in the hall, you need to take 2 blocks and make a wish. If the blocks fall on one side, then your wish will not come true, if they are different, then it will come true. After the end of these simple fortune-telling, it is advisable to leave an offering, because there are rumors that misfortunes overtake those who have guessed, but have not left a gift.
If this scares you, then you should go to the elephant statue at the vihara. According to legend, an elephant who pats his belly is lucky. You can also buy a ribbon at the Wat Chalong temple complex, which is tied to a ritual tree near the prayer hall, which is called Sala. Wat Chalong has a small pond with goldfish and lotuses. These plants and fish were not chosen by chance. Lotuses represent purity and harmony, while goldfish represent wealth and good luck.
Firecrackers can be heard in the temple around the clock. According to legends, clapping scares away evil spirits, for this purpose a furnace was built here, into which firecrackers are thrown for safety purposes. A specially trained monk with headphones throws firecrackers. At the temple, you can buy incense sticks, set them on fire and stick them in a special tray. Local beliefs say that it brings good luck.
