Wat Ahong Silawat

Located 21 kilometres from the provincial city of Bueng Kan, this beautifully spacious temple, on the bank of the Mekong River, Tambon Khai Si, houses the Buddha image cast in bronze Phra Phuttha Khuwanan Satsada, a replica of the famous Phra Phuttha Chinnarat. In front of the
temple is believed to be the deepest part of the river or the Navel of the Mekong. Its depth is 196 metres measured by throwing a stone tied to a rope. A phenomenon occurs during the rainy season, in which the torrent swirls into a big cone. When it breaks, it sounds like water is seeping through rocks and then disappears.The phenomenon repeats when the next torrent occurs. This happens all day long. The cataract is visible during the dry season between March-May. Legend has it that the Navel of the Mekong lies a cave located underneath a rock on the Lao PDR side. This cave is opposite Wat Ahong Silawat and is the Mekong giant catfish’s habitat, as well as, naga’s rendezvous at the end of the Buddhist Lent. Therefore, this is a sacred spot, where the naga fireballs occur a lot. In the
temple’s compound is a statue of the goddess of the Mekong River’s navel, which is popular among the local people, who come to pray for good fortune in money and love. To ask for wishes, they will light two joss sticks together with flowers, a garland, lipstick, perfume, and women’s accessories.