The most attractive and eye catching sight in Khon Kaen, a major city in Isan, the northeastern area of Thailand, must be the nine-storey chedi (stupa). The stupa is seated on the grounds of the Wang Nong Waeng, a royal temple beside Kaen Nakhon Lake. The temple was established in 1793. Multi headed Naga snakes, a kind of snake from Buddhist mythology are extending their bodies on the both sides of the stairs towards the temple. There are various images of Buddha, Naga snakes and a Dhamma Wheel with two elephants.
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The nine-storey chedi (stupa)
The 80 meters high stupa was built to celebrate the 50th years' anniversary of Bhumibol Adulyadej's accession to the throne and the 200 years of founding of the Khon Kaen town. The chedi consists of nine floors, each gradually shrinking and it has a golden spire and a ceremonial umbrella. Because of it enshrines relics of the Buddha, Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon is very highly revered.
Interior of the Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon
The nine-storey stupa is open to the public and there is stairway leading to the top. On the top floor, visitors could enjoy a panorama view of the Khon Kaen town and the nearby Kaen Nakon lake.
A very ornate throne is enshrining relics of the Buddha in the center of the first floor. It is the place Buddhists come to pay their respect, pray and make merit. Severa large Buddha images and some statues of important monks are standing along the walls as well as a long row of alms bowls, in which people donate coins to make merit. Above the windows in the hall, there are large colorful murals.
On the 4th floor visitor can see a collection of old Buddha images. On the 8th floor, it displays a collections of scriptures from Buddhist teachings. Some relics of the Buddha are enshrined in the 9th floor. Some ancient objects, Buddhist artifacts, some other Buddha images and a learning hall for monks, fortune telling machines and mural depict the history of Khon Kaen, daily life and culture of Isan people as well as Buddhist stories are in other stories. The Thai style wood carvings can be seen on the wooden doors and windows which is telling the stories of previous lives of the Buddha.
How to get to the Chedi
The Wang Nong Waeng temple is seated on Klang Mueang road at the southern end of Kaen Nakhon lake in Khon Kaen town. Visitors can fly from Bangkok to Khon kaen and take a taxi or tuk tuk to the temple.
Opening time
The temple is open every day from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Dress respectfully is necessary which means no revealing clothes.
Explore Thailand with UME Travel
These itineraries with some visits to the sacred the elegant Thai temples are designed to give you some suggestions for what is possible when you travel to Thailand. They showcase the routes that we've found work very well. Take them as your travel inspiration, because your trip will be designed uniquely for you on your particular interests.
Temples in Thailand