Description
Wat Phon Tharam (วัดโพนธาราม) is a Sakon Nakhon temple in the Kusuman district, which is the birthplace of the revered monk Luang Ta Kham Dee Panyophaso (หลวงตาคำดี ปัญโญภาโส), the former Head Abbot of Sakon Nakhon province (1995-2003) who, in his later years, spent time at the nearby temple Wat Santi Kusuman. The abbot's name Ta Kham Dee means to have "a good eye," while the last name Panyophaso means "the wise is the light," together signifying that the accomplished monk had a good idea for discerning wisdom and that is life was a light to help guide others.
Wat Phon Tharam is a beautiful temple with intriguing sculptures scattered throughout the grounds. One distinctive feature of the Nagas here is a flaming red head not seen at other Sakon Nakhon temples. There is also a small sculpture of the three-headed elephant Airavata, ridden by the Hindu God Indra. It reminds one a little of the enormous bronze three-headed elephant at the Erawan Museum in Bangkok.
Phra Rahu makes an appearance above one of the door's to the temple's Ubosot. Phra Rahu stalks the Sun and Moon for ratting him out to Vishnu after he stole an elixir for eternal life. But when he catches them and eats them (causing eclipses), they just drop back out because he was cut in half by Vishnu for stealing the elixir. However, the image of Phra Rahu at Wat Phon Tharam shows him with his lower body still attached. Hopefully, this does not mean the next lunar eclipse will be permanent. He also makes an appearance at Wat Si Rattanaram where he is eating the Sun.
