Top

Wat Neranchararam

Wat Neranchararam

At the north end of Cha Am beach stands WatNeranchararam. The name of thetemple is deliberately given to pair with Mrigadayavan Palace, a royal residence built by King Rama VI. They are named afterNeranchara River and Mrigadayavan Forest that appear in the biography of Lord Buddha. Highlights of the temple include the exotic Indian-style ordination hall which is uncommonly found in Thailand. This ordination hall was built in 1834 and houses the highly venerable image of Luang Pho Thong which was casted in 1935. In the open ground stands the peculiar stucco Buddha images which was built in 1984 to attract Cha Am visitors. The seated Buddha images covers 9 anatomical entries, namely two eyes, two nostrils, two ears, a mouth, an anus, and a urethra. This symbolize a religious puzzle of blocking every opening part of the body from evils. Moreover, the tetrahedron building enshrines the brass footprint of Buddha from 1948 and the statue of PhraKruSunthonWirote (Sa-nguanChakaro), the former abbot who had been in charge for 52 consecutive years and helped improve the temple and the local communities in many ways. To get to Wat Neranchararam, you can leave Bangkok for Phetchaburi (Highway No. 4) by driving along Phetkasem Road that runs pass NakornPathom, Ratchaburi and Phetchaburi. After going throughPhetchaburi downtown for about 41 kilometers, you should start to see signals along the road. Just before approaching the temple entrance, there is an intersection where you have to make a left turn. Keep going for one more kilometer until you find Cha Am beach. Wat Neranchararam is adjacent to the beach.