Picture this: a winding road weaving its way up to a majestic temple perched atop a breezy 830-meter zenith. While the throngs of tourists might create a bit of a squeeze, the laughter and lively chatter infuse the air with a celebratory vibe that’s simply infectious. That’s exactly the scene described by an affable temple official named Ekachai Kasetkorn, amidst a backdrop of enthusiastic visitors gathered to greedily drink in the stunning sunrise and the enchanting sea of fog that envelops the peak where the temple stands proud.
Ekachai notes, with a glint of pleasure in his eyes, that despite the human traffic jam, the place was abuzz with joyful reverence amplified by the crisp, cool weather that seemed to dance through the crowds. The temple, he remarks, rolls out its spiritual carpet as early as 5 in the morning and only tucks it away come 7 in the evening, during the exuberant New Year period.
This serene sanctuary is nestled just a hop and a skip away from the quaint Kheam Son nook of Khao Kho district, beckoning with its sacred ensemble that includes five colossal sitting Buddha figures that command a kind of awe-filled silence, and the Phra That Pha Kaeo – a chedi that’s dressed in an intricate patchwork of colourful mosaic tiles and shards of pottery that glint in the sun’s kiss.
With the New Year tiptoeing in, the temple transforms into a hub of soulful activities. Imagine the mellifluous hum of morning alms being offered at the feet of the grand Buddha statues at 7 a.m. – a ritual that unfurls its spiritual tendrils till the second day of January. And then, as the curtain falls on the last day of the year, a New Year’s Eve chanting session emerges, promising to weave threads of tranquillity from 6 p.m. all the way to the stroke of midnight.
So if you’re in search of a place where spirituality and celebration intertwine, where one can savor the quiet splendor of dawn amidst a collective of kindred souls, this temple is your New Year’s destination. It’s more than just a journey—it’s an ascent to jubilation, reflection, and perhaps, a glimpse into the very heart of what it means to usher in a new beginning surrounded by beauty and blessings.
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