Description
Wat Bo Kaeo Manichot is noted for its beautiful Chedi which holds the ashes of the revered Lao/Thai monk Luang Pu Phang Kosalo, who spent the last years of this life at the nearby monastery Wat Phu Hin Pun (สำนักสงฆ์ภูหินปูน). Wat Bo Kaeo Manichot is also a monastery (and not a formally sanctioned temple), and thus its proper name is Samnak Song Bo Kaeo Manichot (สำนักสงฆ์บ่อแก้วมณีโชติ), although the locals colloquially will refer to most "samnak song" as a "wat" (temple).
The Luang Pu Phang Kosalo (หลวงปู่ผางโกสโล) Chedi has on display a lifelike statue of the revered monk, photographs, and some personal items. On the outside walls of the Chedi are bas relief murals of the life of Luang Pu Phang, which remind one of the tiled bas relief murals honoring the life of Ajarn Fan Ajaro at Wat Pa Udom Somphon. This sacred Chedi was consecrated by personal visit from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in 2020 (see video below).
Wat Bo Kaeo Manichot (วัดบ่อแก้วมณีโชติ) is located to the right of the Huai Hin Taek reservoir in the Phanna Nikhom district of Sakon Nakhon. When traveling to the monastery, take the road to the right that runs below the reservoir, rather the dirt road that runs on top. There is space to park just after entering through the gate. You can then walk up toward the Chedi, and a tall, white statue of the Buddha named Phra Buddha Leela Sirimongkol (พระพุทธลีลาสิริมงคล). While walking up the driveway, you'll pass a small pavilion on your left, honoring the Hermit monk named Lersi Singkhonmarat (ฤาษี สิงขรมราช).
Hermit monks are popular at the forest temples of Sakon Nakhon, with the monastery Samnak Song Pu Ruesi Don Pu Ta displaying one of the largest collections of hermit statues in Northeast Thailand.
