Wihaan Thep Sathit Phra Kiti Chaleum (วิหารเทพสถิตพระกิติเฉลิม)

Thai. ‘Sanctuary of the Celestial Spirits  in Honour of His Majesty’. Name of a Thai-Chinese temple complex dedicated to the Taoist child-deity Nezha, also called Nazha and Nezha San Taizi. This ornately designed Chinese shrine, under royal patronage, is situated along the scenic coastal route from Tambon Ang Silah to Khao Sahm Muk in Amphur Meuang District, Chonburi. The complex features a four-storey building in traditional Chinese architectural style, occupying an area of 13 rai. It comprises three main buildings, along with a structure known as Ho Fah Din (หอฟ้าดิน), or the ‘Hall of Heaven and Earth’. It was officially opened on 5 December 1999 to commemorate the sixth birthday cycle, i.e. the 72 second birthday, of King Bhumipon Adunyadet. For this occasion, on 11 January 1998, the Supreme Patriarch presided over the gold pouring ceremony for 7 Buddha statues and bestowed the name of this huge shrine. All the buildings have plenty of colourful dragon pillars (fig.) and besides a large collection of Nezha statues in different poses, the wihaan also contains a unique collection of other Taoist deities. Highlights of this site include 2,840 dragon statues, giant incense burners, and a tall sao fa din (เสาฟ้าดิน)—the ‘Pillar of Heaven and Earth’—a freestanding wooden spirit post typically found in open-air settings. In Chinese shrines, it is typically depicted with a dragon coiled around it and symbolizes a sacred connection between heaven and earth—a spiritual axis and source of cosmic energy. The shrine also features the 60 Tai Sui, or Sixty Heavenly Generals, who assist the Jade Emperor in guarding the mortal world. Each general takes a turn overseeing a specific year according to the Ganzhi system and descends to earth in that year to serve and protect those who pray to them for safety and peace. Sometimes transcribed Wihan Thep Sathit Phra Kitti Chaloem. In Thai, Nezha is referred to as Najah Sah Thai Cheu (หน่าจาซาไท้จื้อ), which is the Thai transliteration of Nezha San Taizi, i.e. ‘Nezha, the Third Prince’. Wihaan Thep Sathit Phra Kiti Chaleum is therefore also known as Tamnak Najah Sah Thai Cheu (ตำหนักหน่าจาซาไท้จื้อ), meaning ‘Palace of Nezha, the Third Prince’ and Sala Najah Sah Thai Cheu (ศาลเจ้าหน่าจาซาไท้จื้อ), i.e. ‘Hall of Nezha, the Third Prince’. See MAP and WATCH VIDEO. 回