Thailand Wat Tha Sung: the incredible crystal temple in Uthai Thani Central Provinces, Uthai Thani, Travel to Thailand 4.3 (13)Le Wat Tha Sung, its generic name, to which I refer today, is also known as Wat Chantharam. It is one of the main attractions of Uthai Thani province, a region located 200 km north of Bangkok. Summary hide The must-see temple in Uthai Thani province A short history of Wat Tha Sung The buildings making up the temple Location and area of Wat Tha Sung The must-see temple in Uthai Thani provinceI mentioned it in the introduction, Wat Tha Sung is certainly one of the major attractions of Uthai Thani. This is the very reason why I was personally interested in stopping in this province until then ignored by my "radars" of interest.The temple has a unique architecture, both outside and inside, earning it several nicknames in addition to its two official names. Which is why I myself called it for a long time by one of these nicknames, the temple of mirrors. Which remains an "unofficial" nickname, because it is more commonly called the crystal temple or as I knew it before, the glass temple. So many indications that clearly give an idea of what makes it a temple apart.A short history of Wat Tha SungIts modern history will begin under the impetus of the venerable monk, Luang Pho Ruesi Ling Dam. Indeed, the original temple dating from the Ayutthaya period, was then a small temple a little sleepy and forgotten on the banks of the Sakae Krang. The monk will succeed in attracting people by transforming the site into a meditation center first, and as the latter was renowned for this, the temple will then develop into a complex housing some architectural wonders, attracting more and more people.This successful “bet” has made Luang Pho Ruesi Ling Dam a real local "star", and the popularity of the site has caused the temple to expand on both sides of the road. However, during his lifetime, Wat Tha Sung was still just a fairly modest temple among many others. Its real boom began less than 10 years ago, around 2013. In this complex, there are several areas, including a park, for practicing meditation in a natural environment as well as a school.A portrait of the venerable monk.The buildings making up the templeWhat strikes you from the first time is that you feel the significant size of the temple. Today, the part on the river bank, still hosting a small historic ubosot, is only the tip of this iceberg that is this major religious site. The bulk of its space is now located on the other side of the road. Imagine, the temple now covers more than 50 hectares (I have even seen the mind-boggling figure of 80 hectares!), expanding by buying up neighboring land as and when development needs arise.A map of the temple, it's so big.Spaces for meditationThis area includes various buildings as well as a park, and even a small forest in the back. You can walk for 3 km and still be in the temple.And to do so, you can use the surrounding wall, which is built around the main buildings and the park, as a patrol path, perfect for indulging in meditation (well, if the latter were 100% finished). All along, hundreds of three-meter-high Buddha statues are lined up.A section of the enclosure surrounding Wat Tha Sung.Viharn Kaeow: The Glass ChapelIt is the "centerpiece" of the temple, despite that, the first time I even had trouble finding the (narrow) entrance to what is nevertheless one of the main buildings making up the temple, the Viharn Kaeow (วิหารแก้ว).sanctuary ou "viharn" in Latin = prayer room, Chapelglass ou "kaeow" = (the material, but also refers to the container)You now understand the origin of the nickname of the temple. But why this name exactly? When you enter the great hall (pay attention to the opening times, see below), you will understand immediately. The Wow effect is guaranteed. It feels like seeing a kind of hall of mirrors, without the gilding and finesse of the details but still.The entrance to the great hall of mirrors.The Viharn is a 100 m long building, covered with small mirrors, everywhere. On the posts, on the ceiling, decorated with crystal chandeliers, everything shines brightly, our eyes included. As we get used to this glitter, we begin to take an interest in what is in this room. And on one side, often crowded with devotees praying there, there is a glass bell, exposing the mummified body of the venerable Luang Pho Ruesi Ling Dam, died in 1992.It is common in Thailand to exhibit monks in this way, if they are particularly recognized as masters of meditation. Moreover, if Wat Tha Sung has become a leading monastery, it is thanks to the influence and tenacity of this monk to share his knowledge. This large room was also inaugurated in 1987 by King Rama IX himself, proof of the importance of the temple obtained at that time.On the other side, you notice an altar that features a statue of Buddha. It could be any style to your eyes, but it is actually a replica of the Phra Phuttha Chinnarat (พระพุทธชินราช), a representation of the famous Buddha, which is located at Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat in Phitsanulok and is considered one of the most beautiful in Thailand.Entrance is free. However, there are special times to access the interior of the glass chapel:Opening time : 9:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. in the morning then 14:00 p.m. – 16:00 p.m. in the afternoon.Prasat Thong Kham: the golden castleAnother building worth seeing is the Prasat Thong Kham. You will have to walk a bit to get there if you are without transport, although there are often (more on weekends) local tuk tuks to get there. It is actually only 700 m away, heading left as you exit the large glass hall.You will first walk along a park, which you will see bordered by the famous enclosure wall and its Buddhas. You will also pass in front of a large standing Buddha holding an alms bowl, wedged between two wings of a building that is part of the Wat Tha Sung complex.The golden “castle”, Prasat Thong Kham.Arriving at the square-based structure, rising like a pyramid, you will understand that this is the Prasat Thong Kham. The general appearance is very similar to the Loha Prasat, an annex building to Wat Ratchanatdaram, located in Bangkok. There are chedis covering each roof above the windows, three floors, the last of which houses a statue of Buddha, visible here and in a typical style of S (standing while “walking”).To give an idea of the time scale. This building in particular was intended as a gift to celebrate the 50 years of Rama IX's reign. Started in 1996, the exterior was only completed in 2018. When I first came, the ceilings were not yet 100% complete with their gilding and the electrical outlets remained without switches for the lights.Now the interior finishes are being applied, including the floors, which are currently closed to visitors. This structure, which takes up the codes of an older "castle", similar to Loha Prasat, is also resolutely "modern" since the latter includes a battery of devices to control the hydrometry, important to help conserve the building.The interior is also sparkling, but has a different atmosphere. Here, it is all about gilding and seems more elaborate if you take into account the figures on the posts and doors. This is also because at present, the whole thing is empty. Only a few safes that can accommodate donations as "furniture. In front of this "pyramid", you have a place at the end, another building, white and more sober, whose function I do not know, because I have always seen it closed.Just opposite the golden pyramid.Other buildingsIn addition to the main buildings, which are the main thing to see at Wat Tha Sung, you can come across other buildings with secondary functions or used to accommodate lay people who come to practice meditation (who, incidentally, seem to be mainly, if not exclusively, women).The watchword for the overall architectural style seems to be "silver and shiny," as this is evident on quite a few structures. There is also a standing Buddha right in front of a small U-shaped building, and the whole thing is a real curiosity to see in the area.Location and area of Wat Tha SungDid you like the article? share on Pinterest! Did you like the article? Vote on the article Note globale 4.3 / 5. Number of votes: 13 No votes yet. Be the first to rate this article! Did you like the article? 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