The Big Buddha in Kho Samui, A Must Visit
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Venerated by locals and Thai visitors, the Big Buddha is also visited by foreign tourists who come to marvel at the sheer size and beauty of the image. Built in 1972 by a local society as a place of worship, the mammoth-sized sitting Buddha is within the compound of the Phra Yai temple on the island’s northern shore.
At night, the towering image, brightened by floodlights from the base of the platform, looks like a giant sentinel to the island. In fact, superstitious locals look up to the image as the island’s guardian.
Even the temple and the meditation center at the foot of the Buddha are an attraction by themselves. Their architectural design is characterised by Buddhism, Brahminism and animism.
Within the temple grounds is a gaudy bazaar where visitors can buy not only religious souvenirs but secular items from T-shirts, hats to amulets. Indeed, spiritual concerns and everyday life tend to overlap in Buddhist centres more than they do in some other religions. And a touristy area like this won’t be complete without those small Thai-style restaurants catering to both devotees and tourists alike.
Beyond the temple, of course, is the Big Buddha Beach, named after the famous landmark which you can see from the whole length of one of the island’s longest beaches, from Bophut to Samui Airport. The beach itself is very quiet and peaceful and the waters are calm.
The resorts around the area tend to be laid-back, well-spaced beachside affairs attracting long and short-term quests alike. They’re also a great place for a party, as Secret Garden proves with its weekly festival and there are an increasing number of find (and reasonably priced) dining options here too.
If it’s your first visit to the island, make the Big Buddha your first stop. Countless others do it not only for good luck but because it is one of the best things to see on the island.
Source hikingoutdoor.wordpress.com
At night, the towering image, brightened by floodlights from the base of the platform, looks like a giant sentinel to the island. In fact, superstitious locals look up to the image as the island’s guardian.
Even the temple and the meditation center at the foot of the Buddha are an attraction by themselves. Their architectural design is characterised by Buddhism, Brahminism and animism.
Within the temple grounds is a gaudy bazaar where visitors can buy not only religious souvenirs but secular items from T-shirts, hats to amulets. Indeed, spiritual concerns and everyday life tend to overlap in Buddhist centres more than they do in some other religions. And a touristy area like this won’t be complete without those small Thai-style restaurants catering to both devotees and tourists alike.
Beyond the temple, of course, is the Big Buddha Beach, named after the famous landmark which you can see from the whole length of one of the island’s longest beaches, from Bophut to Samui Airport. The beach itself is very quiet and peaceful and the waters are calm.
The resorts around the area tend to be laid-back, well-spaced beachside affairs attracting long and short-term quests alike. They’re also a great place for a party, as Secret Garden proves with its weekly festival and there are an increasing number of find (and reasonably priced) dining options here too.
If it’s your first visit to the island, make the Big Buddha your first stop. Countless others do it not only for good luck but because it is one of the best things to see on the island.
Source hikingoutdoor.wordpress.com
Labels: Thailand
posted by Daniy @ 7:19 PM,
