Wat Si Muang is home to the 'Lak Meuang' or city pillar and is popular for devotees seeking good luck. When I first arrived, I thought the day was a special one, for the paved outer courtyard was full of cars and the whole place was a throng of humanity. However, seemingly, within just a short period of time, the Temple emptied and I was free to enjoy my time and take photographs.
The Ordination Hall
The Temple was originally established in 1563 during the reign of King Setthathirat and is somewhat unusual in that the Ordination Hall is divided into two rooms. Most Buddhist temples are a single large room.
The large front room is airy and light with glass decorated columns, a central rather small Buddha image and colourful murals along the side walls. A Monk is sat on the floor giving blessings and receiving merit.
Young Monk giving a blessing......
Temple cat
A short passageway leads into the rear 'altar' Hall.
The main 'altar' takes up almost the entire room and is crowded with Buddha images, burning incense, strings of tiny coloured lights and bunches of fresh cut lotus lily buds.
Crowning the whole ensemble is a rough gilded stone, wrapped in sacred cloth, the 'Lak Muang', the city's original city pillar which extends deep into the ground under the altar.
Crowning the whole ensemble is a rough gilded stone, wrapped in sacred cloth, the 'Lak Muang', the city's original city pillar which extends deep into the ground under the altar.
Dozens of offerings laid on the floor
in front of the City Pillar
Back outside, I walk behind the Ordination Hall and see a crumbling stupa of Khmer origin, bedecked with sacred cloths and enclosed within an ornate iron fence. All around the base are pieces of broken pottery and deity images. These have been placed here by devotees who believe that the spirits of the stupa will 'heal' the bad luck associated with the breaking of such objects.
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