Temple Wat Si Rea in Phuket - with a large stone and a view
In various, but numerous descriptions on the network, the territory of the Si Rei temple is solemnly named «temple complex», although in my opinion it is an ordinary temple on the mountain. Not without its zest, of course, but it definitely cannot be called a temple complex, because there is only one temple here - Wat Si Rea, I did not find others. Like any other Buddhist temple, it has its own tree of spirits, houses of monks, a place for meditation and prayer, the main building of the temple with a reclining Buddha, and that very highlight is a small copy of the Myanmar Golden Stone of Buddha.
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Temple of Wat Sirey
2500 years ago, on Mount Chaittiyo in Myanmar (aka Kyaiktiyo Pagoda), a couple of demons dragged from the sea and put a huge boulder on the edge of the abyss, so much so that several people can swing it and push it down. But in the legend there is another character who received a lock of hair as a gift from Buddha Shakyamuni, which he decided to keep in a stupa, and built the stupa on that very boulder. Thanks to the sacred erection, the boulder remained standing in its place for hundreds of centuries, despite the winds, hurricanes and pilgrims from all over the world. The stone is afraid only of women, and therefore they are forbidden to come close, not to mention touches.
Wat Sirey (in some sources it is called Wat Ko Sirey, and in Thai it is Wat Si Rea) was built in 1961. It stands on the top of the hill of the island of Ko Sirey, which is separated from the main body of Phuket by a river where the fresh waters of the Ta Chin River and the salty Andaman Sea mix. The temple has not yet been spoiled by the attention of tourists, like this whole part of Phuket province. The distance and separation of the islands is so insignificant that an ignorant person will not even notice the moment when he passes from one island to another. I recommend that you definitely see the temple on Mount Wat Si Rei - it deserves an hour and a half for inspection and shooting.
From myself I will say that I like these Thai temples most of all, which are somewhere at a height, with panoramic observation decks, because most Thai temples are very similar to each other, and when you look one or two or three, then in fourth, you will think a hundred times before you go - it's boring. But if the temple has some kind of trick, then the nicest thing is to go there, and any Thai temple can be regarded not only as a religious landmark, but also as a place where it is pleasant to be. Sitting, moving away from the mundane, thinking, reading a book in the shade and, in my opinion, doing all this just with a view somewhere on a hill is much more pleasant, because the eyes are beautiful and the breeze is guaranteed.
There was a strange person at the entrance to the territory
Left the car downstairs
I go upstairs on foot
Parking upstairs next to this building
Take the stairs from the parking lot for a few more minutes
The same staircase, view down
Temple of Wat Si Rei in Phuket
Wat Si Rea is an excellent observation deck
Inside the golden stone Buddha statue
By the way, such a moment. Everyone knows that when visiting any Thai temple, you need to take off your shoes before entering. They do not always check (sometimes the temples are empty), but I personally always follow this rule. But it was when I was visiting Wat Sirey that I had problems. The area around the stone and around the entire building is paved with tiles and it gets terribly warm in the sun. So that it burns straight. Therefore, I moved there in dashes, trying to stand only in the shadows. Wouldn't hurt socks.
Information to visit
The temple is open from dawn to dusk. Be sure to adhere to the dress code: closed shoulders and knees. Women are not driven away from the stone - after all, it is not a real relic, although it was built with the assistance of the Myanmar authorities and representatives of the clergy. Here, by the way, the number of tablets with rounded Myanmar letters everywhere is off scale. The Golden Stone in Phuket is more of an attraction than a cult place, although this does not prevent superstitious and believing Thais from bringing gold leaf here and asking the Buddha for their daily necessities..
The main building of the Wat Si Rei temple is located below, where I left the car, although it was possible to climb on it and to the very top along the serpentine, as I later found out, there is parking there. Upstairs there is a building with a reclining Buddha and a Golden Stone. Don't be confused by the barrier downstairs on the road, it is always open and everyone rides bikes and cars to the very end. However, the choice is yours - either leave the transport below, or take it up.
On the map
Wat Si Rea Temple
Wat Si Rea Temple
Buddhist temple on the mountain, in the traditional style of Thai cotton wool and a golden statue of the reclining Buddha inside. Very quiet place with good views of the island and the sea.
More about the temple.
Buddhist temple on the mountain, in the traditional style of Thai cotton wool and a golden statue of the reclining Buddha inside. Very quiet place with a good view of the island and the sea.More about the temple.