Description
Phrathat Narai Cheng Weng (พระธาตุนารายณ์เจงเวง) is an ancient Khmer "prasat" or "temple" or "castle". All three terms are used interchangeably when referring to the Khmer era "Phrathat" or "Pra That" that you find in Sakon Nakhon, which was once under the control of the Khmer Kingdom. There are two such historical structures in the city, Phrathat Narai Cheng Weng and Wat Phrathat Dum, the latter being closer to the center of town, while the former is walking distance from Rajabhat Sakon Nakhon University.
The 3rd Khmer castle, Phra That Phu Phek, ruin is about 30 minutes away on a mountaintop. All three share the common structural characteristics of being built in sandstone on a laterite base, sometime around the 11th century AD.
Phrathat Narai Cheng Weng has an interesting connection with Phra That Phu Phek in that (according to legend) it was built by women who were competing with the men building the other temple on the mountain. Whoever could complete their temple first would have the honor of housing a sacred relic of the Buddha. The women tricked the men into stopping their construction temporarily and finished their construction first, winning the contest.
Some interesting carvings above the stone door frames, include a 4 handed Vishnu, lying on his side, holding a conch shell and weapon, which represents the period when Vishnu (after the destruction of the world) must create all living creatures again.
Below Vishnu is a carving of Krishna holding a lion by the feet. Some art historians say Krishna is killing the lion, but the lion looks pretty happy being conquered. The lion's face actually looks quite similar to that of the mythological Kala, the embodiment of time's ability to devour all things, which is seen at Wat Phrathat Dum and sometimes carved into the support beams (lintels) above the doorways of ancient Khmer castles in Cambodia and Thailand.
Thais often refer to the lion in this carving at Phrathat Narai Cheng Weng as the Thai mythical creature Singha the Lion, a symbol of power, strength, courage, leadership, dignity, loyalty, endurance, and perseverance (a symbol that you will also find on the popular Thai beer called Singha).
