Wat Pa Sawangbun
Wat Pa Sawangbun is located in Tambon Cha-om, Amphoe Kaeng Khoi, Saraburi. It was built in 1985 by Luang Pho Somchai Punyamano on his father’s land. The temple covers the area of around 400 rai. Later, in 2005, a number of Buddhists from Saraburi, and all over the country who had faith in Luang Pho Somchai conjointly built a chedi named “Phra Maha Ratana Loha Chedi Sisatsana Bodisat Sawangbun” for Wat Pa Sawangbun.
Completely constructed in 2007, the chedi was elegantly beautiful. The chief chedi stands in the center, surrounded by smaller chedis on the circular pedestal. Dissimilarly to any other chedis in Thailand, this Chedi has 500 pinnacles, therefore it is called “Chedi Ha Roi Yot” (or Chedi with 500 pinnacles). Phra Maha Ratana Loha Chedi Srisatsana Bodisat Sawangboon has door facades in all 4 sides.
Each facade leads to the chief chedi in the center. They are all refinedly gilded stucco chedis. Inside the bigger chedi is located a smaller intricately designed chedi in the middle. The wall of the chief chedi was thoroughly adorned with ruby red glass, with pictures of important Phra That Chedis of Thailand embellished on the ceiling. Inside the small chedi is enshrined the Buddha’s relics brought from Nepal, India, and Sri Lanka.
Apart from Chedi 500 Yot, Wat Pa Sawangbun also houses 84,000 Lord Buddha’s relics, Phra Ubosot, stupa-shaped dwellings (similar shape as the stupa built in the holy site of his Nirvana at Kusinagara), Phra Satja Chedi, as well as those Buddha images with outstanding characteristics, and remarkable building materials.
For example, a 10.59 meter stone Buddha statue in Nirvana posture (Thailand’s biggest Buddha image that was made from one giant stone ), Phra Puttamahatan Sawangbun in Chiang Saen Nueng style (109 inches width, enshrined in Phra Ubosot), 1 ton carved stone Buddha statue, the imprint of Buddha standing on the hill, and sandstone Buddha image.
Inside the temple is a peaceful atmosphere, there is a spacious pavilion for meditation. The rear part of the temple is attached to the foothill, allowing fresh cool breeze to flow through the temple. A lot of Buddhists come here to meditate, especially on the weekends.
Transportation: No public transportation can reach Wat Pa Sawangbun directly, visitors must drive their own cars by driving on Saraburi-Nakhon Nayok route. From Amphoe Kaeng Khoi, it takes around 15 kilometers to Tambon Cha-om. As you reach Tambon Cha-om, turn left onto the path to Namtok Krok E Dok. Go straight around 4 kilometers. Wat Pasawangboon is on the right, with easily noticeable signboard.