Dec. 4 – Southbound on Route 1 to Suphan Buri. Along the way, we would pass by Uthai Thani. There is a famous wat called Wat Tha Sung, or Crystal Sanctuary, located less then 10km off our intended route. Indie K suggested a detour to the Crystal Sanctuary for a visit. His previous attempt some years ago to locate this temple was unsuccessful. I readily agreed.
At 3pm, about two-third of the way to Suphan Buri, we made a right and follow the 3212 over the Chao Phraya and into Uthai Thani. We were close to the Crystal Santuary but along the road, there were several temples on both sides. They were all huge and occupied large spaces. I could understand why Indie K couldn’t locate the Wat Tha Sung when he last came. We were totally thrown off the scent. Every temple has a presence, and they all look special and distinct, although architecturally, they are similar. We stopped and asked for direction from some people in uniforms and was told to go forward and turn left at the ‘chet’, or 7, in Thai, which means 7-eleven. Actually, Indie K did the asking while I have a smoko. Indie K interpreted the directions to me, which was fortunate, because as we moved a short distance ahead, there was a narrow, paved alley on the left. It was just wide enough for 2 vehicles to pass each other. Narrow, as opposed to the main thoroughfare we were on, which have three lanes each way. There were many signboards in Thai which meant nothing to either of us. Just as Indie K was about to continue along the main road, I spotted the 7-eleven on the opposite side of the road. I quickly signaled Indie K and indicated to him. So, we made a left into this narrow little lane and voila! At the end of it, the Temple Complex of Wat Tha Sung.
But why is the assess to Wat Tha Sung so obscure? It is, after all, a renown temple, famous for its Crystal Sanctuary and Golden Buddha. Perhaps it is meant to be. Heaven pick those who made special efforts as in the case of Indie K. He tried once before and tries again and is rewarded. As for me, I just tag along and sometimes get lucky. LOL.
We removed our footwear before entering the temple. Indie K respectfully knelt, and I followed suit.
There is the main temple, The Crystal Sanctuary, and many other smaller ones. Some, I believe are monasteries. The Crystal Sanctuary is huge, internally one hundred metres long, with walls and ceiling proportionately sized. Dozens of cylindrical pillars stood in rows, supporting the massive roof. Each pillar is a few storeys tall and about 60cm in diameter. Amazingly, each pillar is covered from top to bottom with small diamond-shape pieces of mirror, each measuring about 5cm long. Upon a closer look, I concluded that they are individually glued to the pillars, using industrial-strength glue. Some glue seeped out between the pieces during the curing process, an indication that they were manually attached, and also because of the slight imperfection in alignment. It is mind-boggling, if you think about it. How careful and how long did it take to attach these pieces? The walls were also covered with mirrors and in between the rows of pillars, shiny, bright chandelier-like lamps hang from above providing the illumination. Long strings of clear translucent beads hung, gathered together near the base in clusters, like so many curtains. Clear marble floors and red carpet compliment the mirrors and crystals. The whole interior shimmer and dazzle. According to available literature, the body of the late monk who revamp this ancient temple lies in a glass enclosure on the left as you enter the temple, hefted 20ft off the floor, on an ornate gold altar. He is laid in his monk attire, eyes closed as if sleeping. Countless Buddha statues line the walls, some standing with hands clasped, some bowing, others in the meditation postures. It is an amazing concept requiring years of hard work and dedication to produce. Simply awesome.
I was impressed. After an hour or so, we resume our journey to Suphan Buri, bedazzled.
Thanks to Indie K who brought me to Wat Tha Sung. (More Photos here Wat Tha Sung or The Crystal Santuary )
December 2023, Uthai Thani. Jaywalker.
2 wheels and an engine 