Description
Wat Pa Nong Waen (วัดป่าหนองแหวน) is a temple in the Sakon Nakhon countryside that features paintings of Phra Rahu. The name of the temple translates to the The Forest Temple of the Ring Swamp. However, we aren't aware of any "ring swamp" within the immediate vicinity of the temple, so we are unsure as to the inspiration for the name.
Wat Pa Nong Waen has quite a striking entrance gate for a small, rural temple in this lightly populated area of Sakon Nakhon. Two Yaksha giants guard the entrance at each side, and atop of the center of the ornate gate is a Naga protected Buddha, flanked by two pilgrimage Buddhas (with walking stick) in each corner.
Wat Pa Nong Waen has a Viharn, or worship hall for the local congregation, that features two paintings of Pra Rahu above the entrance. Some people get confused as to why Pra Rahu is honored at Thailand's temples, because one legend has Rahu an unlucky figure who was chopped in half by Shiva for being a thief. Meanwhile others say he is worshiped by people who practice black magic.
However, in Thai lore, Phra Rahu was created by Shiva from the heads of 12 ghosts, and he is said to help people overcome obstacles and disasters. He's also the guardian angel of those born on a Wednesday night, and in Thai astrology is represented by the number 8.
The closest nearby temple to Wat Pa Nong Waen is Satatham Nong Waeng Priest's Camp Site (สำนักสงฆ์ศรัทธาธรรมหนองแวง), which is about 4 kilometers away. This Buddhist temple is more of a rustic retreat, with large pond and woods, and currently (2022) is undergoing new development.
