Wat Chayamangkalaram Temple
PenangSentral.com » Penang Tourist Attractions » Wat Chayamangkalaram Temple
Wat Chayamangkalaram is a Siamese temple which was officially given its site
by Queen Victoria in 1845. It was presented by Mr. W.L. Butterworth of the East
India Company of Penang on July 22, 1845. The first monk was a Theravada
Buddhist monk from Thailand, Phorthan Kuat, also known as the "Powerful Monk".
According to the legend the monk was very fond of laksa, a local specialty and
even today devotees bring a bowl of laksa as an off rand to his shrine. Wat
Chayamangkalaram Temple in Penang is the 3rd largest of its kind. It is 33
meters in length.
This Thai architecture houses a 180 ft. gold-plated statue of the reclining
Buddha, Pra Buddhachaiya Mongkul - said to be one of the longest in the world.
The reclining Buddha represents Pra Buddhachaiya Mongkul, the historical Buddha,
at his death. This symbolizes complete peace and detachment from the world. In
the reclining position, Buddha lies on its right side with its head resting in
the palm of its right hand to the North. He sleeps by turning His body to the
right side and placing His left leg put over the right one.
This position on the couch symbolizes the Mahaparinirvana (Enlighthenment or
achieving Nirwana) of the Buddha which took place at Kushinagara (Uttar Pradesh,
India). A peaceful half-smile gracing its serene face.
Behind the statue are countless niches with urns containing ashes of devotees.
The interior of the temple is decorated with images of Buddha covered with gold
foil. The legend of Buddha's life has been painted on the walls by leading Thai
artists. Most visitors come to pay homage and admire the majestic golden Buddha.
In the main shrine in front of the Reclining Buddha there are smaller shrines of
different Buddha’s and Buddhist and popular Thai deities.
There is also series of painted images portraying story of the Lord Gautama
Buddha. The floor of the temple is laid with tiles of lotus patterns – lotus is
a symbol in Buddhism. On the fantastically ornate temple grounds the visitors
can see many beautifully carved and lavishly colored statues of Devas and other
mythical creatures.
Contact Information
Address: Lorong Burmah, 10250 Penang. (Between Georgetown and Batu Ferringhi
area approx 10 mins from Georgetown).
Open hours: 6.00 am - 5:30 pm
Entrance Fee: Free
Restriction: To remove your shoes before entering the temple's grounds.
undo...back