Description
Wat Phra Phutthabat Namthip (วัดพระพุทธบาทน้ำทิพย์) is one of the most visited Sakon Nakhon temples in the Phu Phan Mountain area. However, "most visited" needs to be viewed in context. While many local people come here to make merit, there is still a good chance that you could come to this popular temple and not see another visitor — thus being able to wander around entirely by yourself, just as you can at many other beautiful temples in Sakon Nakhon.
Wat Phra Phutthabat Namthip is noted for its courtyard filled with 119 large white Buddha statues. The largest of the Buddha statues is in the pose of Nirvana and placed at the head of two double rows of Buddha monuments, filling a courtyard that's close to the length of a football field. On the other side of the temple grounds are additional rows of white Buddha statues facing toward the Eastern edge of the Phu Phan Mountains. There is also a large gold, Buddha statue near the entrance of the temple, which is flanked by a long row of additional gold Buddha statues.
Wat Phra Phutthabat Namthip (วัดพระพุทธบาทน้ำทิพย์) translates to The Temple of the Nectar of Buddha's Footprint. It was built to honor the miracle of the 7 Buddha footprints that appeared in the forest across the street from the temple, footprints from where a continuous stream is always flowing (from an underground spring). The temple is located only about 45 minutes from downtown Sakon Nakhon, and 15 minutes from Phu Phan National Park, so it should definitely be on your itinerary of places to visit.
Lastly, after visiting this temple, we would highly recommend traveling another 12 kilometers down Route 213 to visit Wat Tham Chang, with its large collection of diverse Buddhist and Hindu statues.
