Wat Kaew Temple
Wat Kaew Temple is an unpopular place among tourists in Thailand, so you can admire the exquisite beauty of the unusual white temple, if not completely alone, then at least without crowds of tourists. People call it the White Temple; it was originally built as a home and place of spiritual practice for 200 monks. The full name is "wat Kew Koravaram".
General information
Wat Kaew Koravaram Temple is one of the most beautiful attractions in the Thai city of Krabi. It is sometimes confused with the White Temple of Watrong Khun, which is located near the city of Chiang Rai. But unlike its more famous counterpart, the white Wat Kaew is a functioning temple and attracts attention with its elegant simplicity.
The history of the temple began in 1887, when the inhabitants of a tiny settlement built a small residence for the monks, who planted trees near the village, designed to rid the inhabitants of the town of malaria. Gradually, an increasing number of guests and clergy began to arrive at the complex, and additional areas were required to accommodate pilgrims and provide them with space to offer prayers. A few years later, the snow-white temple itself was built. In 1912, Wat Kaew became a recognized center of Buddhism, and since 1957, the religious movement has spread to neighboring territories. To this day, any traveler can listen to a lecture about Buddhism and the history of the creation of the snow-white temple in the basement. However, the lessons are conducted in Thai. All the accompanying inscriptions of the building itself are made on it.
Brief description
The absolutely white walls of the religious building immediately attract attention, symbolizing purity and harmony with the world. The emerald greenery and golden Nagas (mythical snakes) decorating the staircase add special sophistication to the Wat Kaew temple. The tilted columns and walls of the central entrance become a cultural shock for any unprepared tourist. The inside of the temple is decorated with colorful pictures depicting stories from the life of Buddha. The center of the hall is occupied by the figure of the Enlightened One.
You can walk around the entire temple in a few minutes, but usually travelers spend up to half an hour here, enjoying the silence and tranquility of the holy place, as well as the coolness, especially pleasant in the hot summer. It will take another half hour to explore the area. Particular attention of tourists is attracted by animal figurines, a fountain, a man-made waterfall that operates on certain days, and connoisseurs look with admiration at the statue of the Walking Buddha. The fact is that the figure of the deity is usually depicted standing, sitting or lying down. The Walking God is a symbol of the ancient kingdom of Sukhothai, which is remembered today only by scientists.
It is best to visit Wat Kaew on weekdays: at this time the temple is almost always empty. But on weekends, most of the local residents are present here, but there are very few people praying; many families are used to spending time here, enjoying the lovely lawns and flowers. There is also a huge number of animals that live here, which are brought to the temple by residents who are not able to fully care for their pets.
