Description
Not to be confused with the Wat Pho Chai temple in downtown Sakon Nakhon, Wat Pho Chai (Khamin) is located in Tambon Khamin (ตำบลขมิ้น), about half way between the nearby temples of Don Hin Thong Priest's Camp Site and Wat Si Bun Rueang, and 25 minutes from Sakon Nakhon airport.
Wat Pho Chai (วัดโพธิ์ชัย) is a small village temple that is unique for its two tusked elephants that guard its ornate entrance way, a sight not commonly seen at Sakon Nakhon temples, where the gate guardians usually are Nagas, Yakshas, or Lions. Here the Naga guardians appear with only their heads emerging from a concrete pathway leading to the monks' residences (kutis).
Two gold statues of the Buddha are to also be seen on the temple grounds, one showing the Buddha with a walking stick and umbrella (probably the most popular pose among Sakon Nakhon sculptures of the Buddha) and the other showing an interesting combination of the Vitarka Mudra (resembling an okay sign that symbolizes the delivery of wisdom) and an open palm pointing downwards, which signifies the delivery of a blessing, rather than a call to the Earth Goddess, which the back of the Buddha's hand pointing downward represents.
