Hello Rainy Season!

While many may prefer to stay indoors during the rainy season, avoiding traffic jams and the potential for illness, for our family, rain is no obstacle to travel. With a love for adventure, we're heading out today to pay respects at a temple amidst the gentle drizzle. Our destination: Wat Saman Rattanaram in Chachoengsao province. Let's go!

The daughter of this house looks ready to go out, haha... It's raining and the weather is good. I'm a little sleepy, please don't mind.

As we were traveling from Saraburi, the route to Chachoengsao required us to pass through Nakhon Nayok, and the road was not a major highway, making it a bit difficult. It was also raining, and the road was damaged in some places, with occasional potholes and bumps. It was a challenging journey, but not overly strenuous.

If you are driving to the temple, it is recommended to pay close attention to the road signs. We got lost on our way and ended up driving through a residential area with narrow roads where we had to fold in our mirrors to pass oncoming traffic. So, please be sure to follow the signs carefully to avoid getting lost and having to drive through the fields like we did.

Upon arriving at the temple, we found a parking spot and began exploring. The first thing that caught our eye from afar was the majestic statue of Guan Yin, towering prominently in the distance. (It was truly magnificent in person.) This particular statue of Guan Yin is in the posture of bestowing children. Those who wish to have children can come here to pray for their wish to be granted.

Due to the continuous drizzle throughout the day, I must admit that I took very few photos (much fewer than usual). I was worried about my camera and lens getting moldy, so I was hesitant to take them out.

The husband and daughter are teaching the great-grandmother how to take photos. The daughter seems particularly interested.

Upon arrival, it is customary to pay respects at the temple.

The temple is home to people of almost every nationality. After the Chinese style, we will take you to the Hindu style.

Before moving on to the next zone, let's take a break with the smile of a little girl when she comes to visit. She's all smiles!

Behold, the highlight of this temple: the largest reclining Ganesha statue in Thailand.

The Reclining Ganesha: A Symbol of Prosperity and Contentment

This magnificent sculpture of Ganesha, measuring 16 meters in height and 22 meters in length, depicts the deity in a reclining posture, exuding an aura of tranquility and contentment. Carved from pink stone, the statue showcases Ganesha in a semi-reclining position, with his left hand holding a broken tusk and his right hand cradling a lotus flower.

Surrounding the base of the sculpture are 32 smaller representations of Ganesha in various postures, each offering devotees the opportunity to seek blessings and pay homage. The symbolism of the reclining Ganesha is profound, representing a state of ultimate bliss, abundance, and fulfillment. It signifies a life free from worries and sorrows, filled with joy, prosperity, and contentment.

This majestic sculpture is believed to bestow blessings of happiness and good fortune upon its devotees. It serves as a powerful symbol of auspiciousness and a revered landmark for the people of Chachoengsao province.

Another highlight that cannot be missed and is unique to this temple is the giant pair of nagas. Since my mother was already there, she asked to take a picture.

There are two of them, red and green. They are very big and can spray water.

If you look closely, it looks like a heart.

I attempted to capture a photograph that depicted me as a mythical serpent encircling my daughter at the center. However, the crowd was substantial, and I was concerned about my daughter's exposure to the rain. Consequently, I hastily snapped the photograph, resulting in a slightly skewed image.

A glimpse of the vibrant flowers and garlands, a testament to the power of faith, will be shared in the next post. Due to the rain, there were very few photos taken around the temple during this trip.

The area surrounding the temple offers numerous scenic spots for photography, adorned with beautiful flowers lining the pathways. Local shops and vendors abound, offering a wide array of traditional goods. We purchased several coconuts, which were incredibly sweet and refreshing. Additionally, the temple houses the world's largest statue of Brahma and a giant lotus flower for candle offerings to ward off misfortune.

Despite the unfavorable weather, with drizzling rain and gloomy skies, the smiles of the family members remained bright as they enjoyed their time together.

To conclude, I leave you with this image. If you enjoy visiting temples and want stunning, magnificent photos, I highly recommend this temple. It has everything you need in one place. However, be aware that it is quite crowded throughout the year, and the parking and photo spots require a fair amount of walking. Therefore, plan your visit carefully and avoid peak seasons if possible.

Travel

Private car

From Bangkok, take the motorway or Min Buri route to Chachoengsao province. Look for the signpost for Paet Riew and turn left onto the bridge (straight ahead to Chonburi). Continue past the red light and keep right to cross the Bang Pakong River bridge. Go straight until you reach the Complex intersection. Turn left towards Bang Khla for 4 kilometers. You will reach the entrance to Wat Juk Cher. Turn left again for about 4 kilometers. There will be a right turn with a sign. Drive over the high bridge, which is a water control dam. After crossing the bridge, continue for about 1 kilometer to reach the entrance to Wat Saman Rattanaram.

Note: You can also open GPS and search for the temple name. You will find the same result. But don't forget to read the signs carefully when you are near the temple, or you will get lost like us.

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