Description
Wat Ban Nong Khrong (วัดบ้านหนองครอง) is a small, village temple that you'll pass as you get close to the famous Wat Phu Pha Yon temple, which is in the Phu Phan forests that contain the ancient Sakon Nakhon petroglyphs. It is only about 500 meters from the Ban Phon Bok Monastery, with its curious statue of Nang Kwak (Thai goddess of wealth and good fortune).
Wat Ban Nong Khrong has a traditional wooden Viharn, and an attractive bell tower with a welcome sign. The entrance archway is unique in that it is flanked by two sculptures of a Naga serpent emerging out of the mouth of a Makara (which symbolizes the historical transition from Hinduism to Buddhism).
It's unusual to see Makara/Naga statues at Sakon Nakhon temples. They are more commonly seen at Nakhon Phanom temples that overlook the Mekong River into Laos.
From downtown Sakon Nakon, it takes about 45 minutes to reach Wat Ban Nong Khrong. The drive is a lovely one through many quaint Thai villages.
