Buddhism is an important way of life for many Thais. July marks the celebration of two important Buddhist festivals, where locals throughout Thailand will visit temples and ask for blessings.
Wan Asanha Bucha which falls on Monday, July 22 is a Buddhist festival that takes place during the full moon of the eighth lunar month. It commemorates Buddha’s first sermon. Wan Khao Phansa which happens on Tuesday, July 23 is known as the start of Buddhist Lent. A Candle Festival takes place across Thailand.
TripAdvisor rounds up a list of popular temples in Thailand for these Buddhist festivals, as highly recommended by travellers from around the world and Phuket’s Wat Chalong features amongst them.
Wat Chalong – Phuket
Wat Chalong, built at the beginning of the 19th century, is the largest and most visited Buddhist temple in Phuket. Locals and tourists come to pray and pay respects to the founders of Wat Chalong, 2 monks who were well known for herbal medicine and took care of local villagers and negotiated for a settlement during a Chinese miner’s rebellion in the 1876′s.
As reviewed by a TripAdvisor traveller, “A beautiful temple complex with several magnificent and important temple buildings. The building with the tall spire housing the Buddha relics is particularly beautiful.”
