Description
Wat Si Suk Samran (วัดศรีสุขสำราญ) is a Buddhist temple easily seen from Highway 22, while traveling from Sakon Nakhon City toward Nakhon Phanom. It's located about 4 kilometers past Wat Thep Kanyaram. You will notice the temple because of the large, gold Buddha statue, guarded by two Naga serpents (male and female) which are taking their half human form. There are additional 5-headed Naga serpents placed on the pathway that leads to the sacred stage area.
Behind the main Buddha platform is a giant tree with hanging vines, under which are three hermit monk statues, a popular style of statue at Sakon Nakhon temples, especially at Pu Ruesi Don Pu Ta Priest's Camp Site, which perhaps has the largest collection of hermit monks statues in Northeast Thailand.
If you keep walking past the hanging vine tree, you will see a couple of stunning, colorful statues of the Buddha being protected by a 7-headed Naga serpent, and perhaps the most attractive and well done sculpture of Phra Mae Thorani, the mythical earth goddess who protected Lord Buddha when he was being attacked by Mara and his demons as he approached enlightenment.
To the right of Phra Mae Thorani, you'll see a large, old hut with thatched roof. This is the "5 Precepts Village" of Wat Si Suk Samran. The precepts being morality, happiness, harmony, kindness, and peace. If you walk around that hut, further to the right, you'll see a pond with a sunken pavilion (partially submerged during the rainy season) which houses a gold Buddha statue.
Wat Si Suk Samran (วัดศรีสุขสำราญ) translates to The Joyful, Happy Temple, a joy you can see in the facial expression of the main Buddha statue, the Naga guardians, and the feeling you'll experience wandering around this lovely, roadside temple in Sakon Nakhon, Thailand.
