Wat Samphran, the dragon that guards the temple that does not appear in travel guides
40 kilometers from Bangkok (Thailand) is this Buddhist temple with a peculiar cylindrical construction
About 40 kilometers west of Bangkok is a temple that does not always appear in travel guides but has become one of the most sought after by tourists who come, at least before the pandemic, to Thailand .
Wat Samphran or the Temple of the Dragon , in the province of Nakhon Pathom and officially registered in 1985, is not the oldest, most beautiful or best preserved of Buddhist temples but its cylindrical construction surrounded by a giant dragon if they make it one of the most visited. The pink building has 17 floors and a height of 80 meters, in homage, according to legend, to the age Buddha was when he died.
The first thing that catches your eye is the huge red and green dragon that climbs the building until it reaches the top. This sculpture is hollow and it is through its interior, in a flight of spiral stairs, where the upper floor of the building is accessed. From here you can see the views of the city as well as a huge statue of Buddha.
The interior of the building does not leave you indifferent. Upon entering, the tourist is surprised by a coffin and photos of a deceased monk. Legend has it that it is the former monk Phra Jam Long, who began the construction of the temple and after finishing the construction in 1985, in order to clean the place, he spent 38 days in the coffin without breathing and without his heart beating, to wake up later.
Two rituals around the dragon
Tradition indicates that whoever visits the temple must perform at least two rituals to be lucky in life. The first takes place at the very entrance of the building where the dragon's legs are located. By resting the hand on one of the claws, a Buddhist prayer written in Thai is recited in front of the animal's legs.
The second ritual is performed at the top of the building. To access the terrace, the tourist must enter the entrails of the dragon until reaching the upper floor. Here, the custom is to stroke the animal's chin and make a wish.
Despite being a relatively recent temple, it is not kept in good condition due, in part, to the fact that its founder was convicted of abusing six girls who had been brought to the temple for their education.
