The magnificent Wat Chalong of Phuket Island
Wat Chalong is one of 29 important temples of Phuket Province, Thailand. Among the most popular locations for travelers when come to Phuket, the wat is open from seven in the morning to five in the afternoon for locals come to pray and westerners come to learn more about Buddhism.
What to see in Wat Chalong
Poh Jao Wat Statue
Poh Jao Wat Statue is one of most important Buddha statue in Wat Chalong. It is located in the old west hall of the pagoda, with 2 statues of an old man who called as Ta-Khee lek, a famous local; he won many lotteries after consulting Poh Jao Wat statue. Another statue in this hall is called Nonsi.
Statues in main hall
Gilt-covered statues in Wat Chalong
One of the temple’s halls features a gilt-covered statue of Luang Poh Cham and this busy hall also contains statues of Luang Poh Chuang and Luang Poh Gleum, all ex-abbots of the temple.
The Grand Pagoda
No one knows for sure when the pagoda was built. However, many claim that it was built during the reign of King Rama II (1809-1842). The old pagoda was relocated, repaired and rebuilt several times. The latest is to build a tower containing the relic of the Buddha which is 61.39 meters high, and construction costs is up to 66 million baht. The relics worshiped here is a bone of the Buddha which is officially named Phramahathatchedi-Jomthaibarameepragat. Pagoda’s wall is decorated with painting which describes the story of the life of Buddha and also many other pictures with Buddha image.
A splinter of Buddha bone-The relic of Wat Chalong
How to get to Wat Chalong
Wat Chalong is about 8 km south of Phuket City. Travel along Chao Fah Nok Rd (Chao Fa West Rd) from the Central Festival mall, and you will see the temple on the left side of the road.
If you are coming from Chalong Circle, take the same road heading towards town, and you will see the temple on your right.
Notify when visit Wat Chalong Phuket Pagoda
When visiting the pagoda, travelers need to pay attention to these following rules about wear and behavior:
1. At some of the buildings in Wat Chalong, you will have to put your footwear outside. So you just pick something simple and comfortable, no fancy footwears.
A footwear rack in Wat Cha Long
2. Women should wear modest clothes; nothing which reveal one’s shoulders, chest, belly or legs..
3. Do not stand over or position themselves higher than any Buddha images.
4. Don’t touch statues or other Buddha relics.
