Some may have heard of a 'white temple' on the northern Thai-Myanmar border and now I have seen it with my own eyes.
Quite a story on my learning of the "White Temple". The only temple I know that is "privately owned".
True, the older temple was in such disrepair and funds were not available, that the Temple repair and ownership is now in the hands of a famous artist and has been for sometime.
The Wat Rong Khun Temple has to be entirely rebuilt and is scheduled to take many years to complete. When it is completed it will have over nine buildings and become a Temple of learning for many. The Temple was initially opened for visitors in 1997.
The photos are like that of what I would expect visiting an Alaskan Eskimo hut where there is only "white snow" used as materials.
Certainly quite a story of symbolism of what each bridge and structure/color represents. The "white" represents the need to focus on the "mind" while the "gold" color inside represents that of "greed" and "materialism".
Each area and sculpture has taken time and money to create and the craftsmanship and attention to detail is something.
I really was surprise at even leaning of this temple. I was visiting family in Chang Mai and had to get my US Passport re-stamped (I should have used my Thai Passport when I came in to the country again). Many Americans have the issue of having to "leave the country" after 30 days and get your US Passport 'stamped' so you can again have another 30 days in Thailand. For this reason, we went to Myanmar and this is how I learned of this famous White Temple.
Now the story of why the "white vs gold" colors make sense. I really enjoyed what this artist is doing with his artwork for the temple.
The bridge and the artwork of walking over many "hands" that represent "unrestrained desire" ...and the bridge is to "overcome" these desires.
I believe it is to take more than another 30 years to complete all the buildings. I can see why, the time to raise money and the detail of the architecture requires it.
Look at the incredible detail of the figures. I had never seen such detail like this for temple statues.
Needless to say, if you are near the Chiang Rai area in Northern Thailand, I believe this is a must visit. The story of the the temple, the artist , the vision is something. If you are photographer, you will very much love the opportunity to photograph something that has to be like no other place.
Thank you so much for reading.
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