Temple of Big Buddha Phuket: history of creation, features and reviews

The Big Buddha is perhaps the main architectural landmark of Phuket. Sitting on the mountain Buddha of huge dimensions rises above the island, and you can see it from almost anywhere in Phuket. It is quite natural that, looking at this monument from the beach, many tourists want to consider it near.

Where is the structure?

At the top of Mount Nakaked there is a famous statue called Big Buddha. Phuket today is visited by millions of tourists, and no one tour of the island can not do without an inspection of this monument. The complex is located in the south of the island. Interest for tourists is already a road to the temple.

On the way to the top there are several points where you can rent a real live elephant for any time. We are sure that you can not communicate with these giants infrequently. In addition, there are sites with birds and monkeys.

Who and why goes to the monument?

The Big Buddha Temple in Phuket is becoming more popular with foreign tourists every year, despite the fact that the construction and finishing works of most of the building are not yet completed.

People go to the Great Buddha for various reasons: some of idle curiosity, others from religious beliefs, and someone just wants to enjoy the sunsets from the magnificent observation platform located on the territory of the complex.

History of the complex

There are three versions of the emergence of this grandiose structure. They are sure to tell you guides and locals. The first version says that the local government planned to compete with the authorities of Koh Samui, which also has a Buddha statue. True, there it has a more modest size - twelve meters.

The second story about the Big Buddha in Phuket tells that the locals decided to fence themselves off from travelers who do not always have pure thoughts with the help of a statue. Thais, undoubtedly, the people are friendly and friendly, but religious issues are sacred to them.

And the third version of the monument's appearance tells us that the place on which the complex is built is mystical, more precisely, it is a place of power.

In fact, the Big Buddha (Phuket rightfully proud of him) was built as a gift. The construction of the monument was timed to the name-day of Rama IX, the King of Thailand. He was presented with the main Buddha statue and a monument, twelve meters high, built for Queen Sirikit.

The first money for construction was allocated by local authorities. In addition, donations from local residents and travelers from around the world were used. The construction of the monument was forty-five meters high and was started in 2002. It was spent huge amounts of money - almost thirty million baht. So the Big Buddha appeared (Phuket). The history of creation, reviews already visited by guests attract more and more tourists to the island. Currently, the temple continues to be built, and the date of completion of the work has not yet been determined.

What to see?

The temple complex is located in a very picturesque place. According to legend, in ancient times on Mount Nakaked lived a huge snake Naga, whose name she was named. The locals say that this is a place of power where the Buddha really meditated.

After reaching the temple and climbing to the very top of the mountain, you will see two Buddha statues - the main one, which is made of snow-white marble brought from Burma, and its smaller copy, located slightly to the left of the monument. This twelve-meter Buddha is made of copper and is dedicated to the Queen of Thailand. Twenty-two tons of copper went to make this monument.

If you look at the marble Buddha on a clear, sunny day, you will have a feeling that the statue is shining - so much stones are poured into the sun. His size and greatness is struck by the Big Buddha. Phuket has not too many architectural monuments, but this complex more than compensates for this shortcoming.

The monument is really huge: the height is forty-five meters, and the diameter is twenty-five meters. If you look closely, you will see that the statue is built of small marble bricks. All those who wish can purchase such a brick for a symbolic fee, write on it their cherished desire, and it will be used to decorate the temple.

But the Big Buddha is not just a statue on the top of a mountain, it's a very large temple complex, the construction of which continues today. Now it is only for donations.

sights

When you are at the very top of the mountain, at first you will find that the only attraction of the complex is a magnificent statue of the Buddha. But this is not so. There are other sculptures here, many of which amaze with gold shine, although, of course, they are not made of pure gold.

In addition to the Buddha statue, the complex has other attractions. To the right of the monument there is an altar, and to the left there is a small shop. In it you can buy fruits, water, souvenirs.

The Museum

In the temple, the entrance to which is located under the main statue, there is a small museum. It presents photographs of the construction and layout of the temple, giving an idea of how it will look in its final form.

Around the layout there are many bowls. In each of them you can put on a coin, and you will surely smile good luck.

Meeting with the monk

In the depths of the temple you can meet with a Buddhist monk. You can approach him, sit in front of him on his knees, and he will bless you, sprinkle water, wish good luck and tie the syn chr - braided bracelet on your hand. For men, he ties the bracelet to his right hand, and the women to the left. At this point, you should make a wish. Sai syn can not be removed until he leaves you himself. And when this happens, your wish will come true.

Walking a little further, you will see a staircase that leads to the second tier of the complex. Before reaching the Big Buddha, you will see a statue of Vasunthara, the goddess of abundance and earth. In this place is always going to many tourists.

Prayer temple

On the territory of the complex there is a prayer temple. It provides services for pilgrims and local residents. There is also a tiny shop where you can buy magnificent religious souvenirs.

Tree of Desires

Rising to the top of the mountain, on the way to Big Buddha you will see a tree, hung with bells with notes (with requests and wishes). Near the tree there is a copper gong, which can perform a magic melody, but not all will hear it. According to the belief, a man with pure thoughts and an open heart will be able to hear the sounds of the gong.

Rub it and make a wish. You can not beat it, it's only allowed to do monks.

Unusual inhabitants of the complex

On the territory of the complex you can meet with unusual residents - a large family of monkeys. Animals live near the temple, and almost every day they come to him: to see people and show themselves.

Coconut massager

In addition to the opportunity to see and appreciate the beauty of Phuket, on the observation deck you can try on yourself Buddhist practices. For example, near the wall of the temple lie, at first glance, unremarkable coconut shells. In fact, this is an excellent foot massager. Everyone knows that on the soles of the feet are points associated with all the organs of the body. Here you can learn how to stand on coconuts and how long. I must say that this procedure is rather painful. But if you like massage, then you can take the shells with instructions. It is interesting that there is no fixed price for such a massager at the temple, you decide what to keep the amount of the donation.

How to get to Big Buddha in Phuket?

There are several ways. We will describe them below:

1. Walking to the complex is possible, but such a walk is rather tedious. But if you are physically hardy, then this trip will surely please you. Go through the Cardboard (closer to Katya) and see where the entrance to the Sea & Sky apartments is. There you will see a sign written by hand - Big Buddha. It has an arrow pointing the direction. Along the way, you will often see such pointers. In the way, leave early in the morning, because in the heat the walk is unlikely to bring pleasure.
2. On rented transport, you can also get to the Big Buddha statue in Phuket. How to get there? From Karon on the road, go to Tesco Lotus. Before reaching it, turn after the ring to the left. There you will see a pointer followed by a turn to the Big Buddha.
3. The easiest way to visit the complex is by sightseeing bus. Such a trip to the Great Buddha is included in the sightseeing tour of Phuket. If you buy it - you will be delivered there in comfort. But we do not recommend taking a free tour with tour operators: you will not be shown sights, but will drive around the real estate offices and factories all day.
4. On the intercity bus (singteo). They regularly walk around the island with the inscription "Big Buddha". If you can not rent a transport and do not want to go on a sightseeing tour - this is a good option.
5. By taxi, of course, you can very comfortably get to the monument. But keep in mind that this type of transport in Phuket is very expensive, the trip will cost you much more than in Pattaya or in Bangkok.

Visiting rules

The temple complex is open daily from 8.00 to 20.00. But in souvenir shops the working day is shorter - from 10.00 to 17.00. Those who want to make great photos for memory, we advise to come to the complex closer to sunset. There are certain requirements for the appearance of guests. Men should be dressed in trousers and a shirt or a T-shirt with a sleeve. Women need to wear a sarong (a special cape on their knees) or a long skirt.

If you came on a tour directly from the beach, do not worry - you will be given a sarong on the territory of the complex for free.

Big Buddha, Phuket: useful tips

• Visit the complex for at least half a day. The territory is huge, until everything is inspected, you take a photo, get some fresh air - you will not notice how time will fly by.
• Come to Buddha closer to the evening, then you will be able to see a stunning sunset and take a photo.

Reviews of tourists

Everyone who has already visited this amazing, not yet completed temple - Big Buddha (Phuket), reviews leave enthusiastic. The secret of popularity and peculiarity of the amazing complex, according to travelers, lies in the extraordinary atmosphere of this place. At first glance, there are a lot of tourists here, but there is absolutely no tension and fuss.