Southeast Asia is blessed with a rich Buddhist culture and heritage. On this Buddha Purnima, we take you to some of the most stunning and iconic Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia that you must visit to channel your inner peace. By Karan Kaushik
Find inner peace at these Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
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No itinerary to Cambodia is complete without the mention of Angkor Wat. This legendary temple is famous amongst travellers and tourists alike for many reasons. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world. Among the many temples that dot its pristine landscape, one is also dedicated to Lord Brahma. Angkor is also one of the most gorgeous sunrise spots in the world. Did we mention the world’s scariest stairs are here at Angkor Wat, which is nearly 70% inclined, and you need to hold on to a rope to make your way up and into the inner sanctum of the temple?
Borobudur, Indonesia
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About 400 years before the largest religious monument in the world, Angkor Wat, was built in Cambodia, Indonesia already had Borobudur to boast about. This three-tier Buddhist temple covers an area of 1900 square metres and houses 504 Buddha statues and 72 stupas. The temple has a pyramidal base, a cone structure at the centre, and a stupa on top. It is an estimation that 55000 cubic meters of andesite rocks and knobs and woodworking joinery were used to join those rocks during its construction, which took place sometime between the 8th and 9th centuries. The temple’s three levels represent three main areas of Buddhist cosmology called kamadhatu, rupadhatu, and arupadhatu.
Wat Pho, Thailand
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Also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Wat Pho in Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon District is one of the city’s oldest temples. The temple complex stands on the Rattanakosin Island, south of the Grand Palace. The prime attraction here is the massive gold statue of the reclining Buddha, which is 15m tall and 46m long. Wat Pho also happens to be Thailand’s first public university. The temple is also famous for being the national headquarters of teaching Thai medicine. The temple complex also houses a no-frills massage station, where you can get a rejuvenating massage from the best masseuses in the country.
Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar
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One of the most popular attractions of Myanmar, the iconic Shwedagon Pagoda is touted as the country’s most sacred Buddhist pagoda. Also known as the Great Dagon Pagoda, the 2600-year-old meditation spot was built in 486BC before the death of Lord Buddha. The main highlight of the temple is the 99-metre-high golden stupa, a major landmark of Yangon. It is believed that strands of Lord Buddha’s hair are still enshrined in the temple along with other holy relics. The pagoda is not only the oldest pagoda in the world but also the most expensive.
Marble Mountains, Vietnam
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Located in Vietnam’s Da Nang, the Marble Mountains are a group of five limestone and marble hills that feature age-old caves and intricately carved temples. These five mountains are named after the five elements – soil, fire, water, plant, and metal. The mountain of water or Thuy Son Mountain has Hindu and Buddhist religious spots. The Buddhist temples at Mount Thuy Son are called Tam Thai, Tu Tam and Linh Ung. The sacred site also boasts a pagoda called Pho Dong. The Buddhist temples here are known for incredible marble carvings of Lord Buddha and scenes from his extraordinary life.
Wat Phra Kaew, Thailand
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Visiting the Wat Phra Kaew or The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is a must when in Bangkok. Officially known as Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram, this temple is considered the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand. Located in the centre of the city, the Wat Phra Kaew consists of a series of structures enclosed by a perimeter wall. Clothed in striking gold, the semi-precious jade figurine of a meditating Buddha himself exemplifies the serene nature of the Thai people. Surrounding this glittering temple is an intricately carved complex comprising at least 100 buildings.
Pha That Luang, Laos
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Located in Laos’ Vientiane city, Phi That Luang stands in the heart of the city as a national landmark. The gold-covered Buddhist stupa is believed to have been established by an Indian missionary in the 3rd century. The stupa has undergone several renovations, with the last one being in 1930. The stupa that we see today was erected in the 16th century. It’s the biggest stupa in Laos and draws thousands of tourists every year. The different floors of the stupa represent the different stages of Lord Buddha’s life from materialistic pleasures to enlightenment.
Bagan, Myanmar
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Perhaps the most popular tourist attraction of Myanmar, Bagan is located in the country’s Mandalay region. Bagan is home to as many as 3,000 Buddhist monuments, which were constructed between the 11th and 13th centuries. These pagodas were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019. Bagan serves as the ancient capital of the Pagan kingdom and is home to an outstanding display of Buddhist art and architecture. It is interesting to note that the Archeological Survey of India is helping the Myanmar government in restoring the lost glory of five pagodas in Bagan’s ancient cultural zone.
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