For the past several years while traveling from Bangkok to Khon Kean on Highway 2 we have watched the construction of Mahawihan Luangpor Toh. A temple dedicated to Somdej Toh.
Yesterday we stopped to see how it was coming along. The temple might be 75% completed (needs most of its finishings) but the gardens look completed.
Everything there is free to the public (no entrance fee),…even meals. However you’ll see donation boxes at every corner. There are special booths that sell some items and a couple of shops that will charge for nick-nacks.
I picked this off the net,………to give the reader a little history.
Viharn Phra Somdej Toh Buddhacharn Phomarangsi is the largest temple in Nakhon Ratchasime. It is dedicated to one of the most famous and beloved ancient monks during Thailand’s Rattanakosin Period, Phra Somdej Toh Buddhacharn Phomarangsi (1788 - 1872). The temple has enshrined the largest Phra Somdej Toh statue in Thailand and the project is spear-headed by a famous 70’s Thai film actor Sorapong Chatree. Having gained fame and fortune, he contributed his money to build this magnificent temple.
This thread is a continuation of a thread that “man with no head” had started years ago (but has removed the pictures he posted there).
Link: https://teakdoor.com/thailands-wats-temples-and-mosques/6237-large-temple-between-korat-and-saraburi.html
Here is the location of Mahawihan Luangpor Toh: http://www.panoramio.com/map/#lt=14.872564&ln=101.732626&z=4&k=2
Temple pictures:
Garden and Surrounding Area pictures:
The Cafeteria (Free food,.but you can’t be picky. They were serving some type of pork soup, yesterday):
I put together a video on Vimeo. If you open the Vimeo link and try to play/watch the video, it is better to start the video and then pause it and let the running bar build up (finish) and then click on play again. You will not see it skip as much.
http://vimeo.com/13790348
Why it is called Mahawihan: Maha means great/grand and wihan or viharn means: Viharn or Vihara - The sermon hall or Buddhist Monastery is used for enshrining major Buddha statues. Actually, Vihara is a replica of Ubosoth. In Bangkok and the central of Thailand, most Vihara are usually smaller than Ubosoth.
Viharn always opened to everyone to meet and pray together. There are no Sema stones surrounding Vihara like Ubosoth. Maybe, there are several Vihara within the temple.
Link: http://www.yourantiquesonline.info/asian-antiques/monk-statue/
I don’t usually do Wat’s or Temple’s (done enough already), but the girlfriend wanted to see this one, nearly completed. If we ever stop by again,..for lunch, I’ll update this thread with some pictures.
