Wat Sawang Arom (Vivid Mood Temple)

Wat Sawang Arom is a Temple inAmphoe Pak Khat of Bueng Kan province. Located on the rock yard at the foothill, the temple is surrounded by enigmatic scenery of trees and a small stream nearby. The bell-shaped main hall stands on the great rock which serves as a viewpoint for Mekong River and also holds the Reclining Buddha, the image of the attitude of Nirvana, underneath. There is a folklore associated with the temple, telling about Prince Sithon, the son of King Athittayawong of Panchanakhon, who took a journey in search of Manora his own wife. Along the way he found Hermit Katsapa’s Cave and stopped over to learn Akhom (magical spell), thinking to himself that if needed, his only specialty in archery alone was not enough.Wanting to try his magical power after finishing the training, he walked to the back of the cave, picked up a rock, and hit it thrice with his spelled sword. The mighty trial gave out a thundering sound and amazingly tore the rock into three.Sithon bid farewell to his teacher and continued his search for his wife and found her at the city of Phu Ngoen of Krairat Mountain. Both traveled back to reign over their city Panchanakhon and lived happily ever after. According to the fact that the places mentioned in this tale are Pak Khat district in Amphoe Pak Khat and Phonphaeng district of King Amphoe Rattanawapi, native people call this cave area Sithon Cave from where legendary traces exist 10 kilometres away.