Wat Klai Kangwon (วัดไกลกังวล)

Thai. ‘Temple Far From Worries’. Name of a Buddhist temple of the Mahanikaai sect in Chainat, which is also known as Wat Khao Saraphatdih Sri Charoentham (วัดเขาสารพัดดีศรีเจริญธรรม). It was built in the Lopburi period, around 1002 BE, i.e. some 1,500 years ago. It is set within a rural landscape and besides a small zoo, it also features an artificial rock mountain which from the top offers a 360º view over the area and on the inside is fashioned as a large cave with a footprint of the Buddha at its centre. The pillars in the cave are shaped to resemble huge stalactites and stalagmites, many of which created niches on the side of the cave. Both in front of those pillars, as well as in the niches, are golden statues of either revered Buddhist monks or of the Buddha. Due to its location, the temple is surrounded by mountains, such as Khao Dinso (เขาดินสอ) and Khao Nong Sot (เขาหนองสอด). The temple grounds are enclosed by a 3.70-metre-high concrete wall that stretches for 5 kilometres, reportedly making it the longest temple wall of its kind. Within this vast enclosure roam several wild and semi-wild animals, including peacocks (fig.), rock pigeons (fig.), chickens and roosters (fig.), squirrels (fig.), and deer (fig.). WATCH VIDEO. 回