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Wat Rai Khing is located in Tambon Rai Khing 32
Kms. from Bangkok. It is a civilian monastery built in 1791. Somdej
Phra Phuttha Chan (Pook) named this temple after the district. When
construction was completed, the Buddha image was brought from Wat Sala
Poon and enshrined here, later the locals named the image Luang Pho Wat
Rai Khing. The Buddha image is in the attitude of Buddha Subduing Mara.
The Buddha image is of Chiang Saen style and is assumed to have been
built by Lanna Thai and Lan Chang craftsmen. According to legend, this
Buddha image was found floating in the river, so the townspeople lifted
the Buddha image out of the water and enshrined the image at Wat Sala
Poon.
Prince Vachirayan Varoros granted temple the
name of Wat Mongkol Chinda Ram (with the words Rai Khing in parenthesis
after the name) but the locals call the temple Wat Mongkol Chinda Ram
Rai Khing, later it was shorten to Wat Rai Khing. The temple is well
known among Thais, faithful Buddhists frequently pay a visit to Wat Rai
Khing to pay homage to the sacred Buddha image. Every Saturdays and
Sundays, food and fruits are sold in front of the temple. This temple
is also renowned for its natural fish sanctuary, a habitat of hundreds
of thousands of Sawai fish (big catfish-like freshwater fishes).
Visitors can buy bread here to feed the fish.
Additionally, there is a museum that collects
and displays various kinds of artifacts including ancient bowls, mural
paintings, and old books, all of which were donated by the townspeople.
Getting there: there are 3
ways: from the intersection in front of Pho Kaew Police Station, from
the intersection in front of the Rose Garden, and from the intersection
at Buddhamonthon 5 Road. For more information on the museum, contact
tel: 0 3431 1384, 0 3432 3056.
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