Thailand Hell Garden In Sakon Nakhon
Thailand’s most famous depictions of hell are the “hell gardens” to be found at Wat Suthat (วัดสุทัศน) in Bangkok and Wat Saen Suk (วัดแสนสุข) in Chon Buri. However, the Northeastern Thailand province of Sakon Nakhon has its own small hell garden at the City Pillar Shrine of Luang Phor Ong Dam (วิหารหลักเมือง หลวงพ่อองค์ดำ) in Amphur Charoen Sin.
This Buddhist hell garden isn’t very well known, even among residents of Sakon Nakhon, as its located in the less densely populated district of Charoen Sin, about 90 minutes northwest of Sakon Nakhon city, not far from the border of Udon Thani.
This small hell garden features probably the most famous four depictions of hell in Thailand. This includes a group of sinners being tormented and stabbed in a cauldron; a naked couple being forced up a tree of thorns with barking dogs at the bottom; large “petra” figures with their elongated tongues, thin limbs, and tormented face; and a statue of Yarma, the Hindu god of death and judgement.
Yarma is the “keeper of records,” which he browses upon your death and levies the appropriate judgement. In the hell garden at the Charoen Sin City Pillar Shrine, the sculptors put a modern twist on traditional depictions of Yarma, by placing an iPhone in his hand, which he uses to browse the records of your life. Considering the evil that has been associated with the making of iPhones, like suicide nets outside the tall buildings where iPhones are manufactured, this choice is perhaps appropriate.
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