Description
Wat Pha Nao (วัดพะเนาว์) is one of several Sakon Nakhon temples which have Google Maps listings mistakenly filled with photos of the famous mountain temple Wat Tham Pha Daen. It's a shame because this small village temple has a number of striking architectural features and statues. The bell tower (Hor Rakang) is colorful and gorgeously designed, while the cream colored Ubosot has an understated charm and beauty.
The statue of the Singha Lion guardian is unique, and looks to have a Chinese influence in the design, while the gold statue of Phra Mae Thorani, with her long wrung hair, is beautifully done. However, our favorite statue of the Phra Mae figure remains the dazzling dressed, black one at the Sri Thai Rattanakot Ashram.
Inside the Viharn at Wat Pha Nao, there is a collection of large and small Buddha statues, including one of the monk Budai (known as the Fat Buddha) and a replica of the Emerald Buddha. On the temple grounds there is a rustic, open-air shed housing 3 mystical hermit monks.
If you travel about 3 kilometers further down Route 2339 in the direction of Sakon Nakhon, you'll come upon another small, charming village temple called Wat Pa Si Wicha Phawana Putto, which is one of the few temples with a large elephant statue.
