Big Buddha
|
The Big Buddha of
Phuket
 We
first saw Big Buddha as we motored into Ao Chalong.
In the car we could see him from miles around.
 Free
parking and entry (a surprise considering just how much work has yet to be
done), we were there and looking up at
him.
   The boys with a retired tour bus. We bimbled by some shrines..........
   .......up the hill and there we were. The boys
pose on the steps. At the
top.
 Impressive
and big.
 We
found a picture of Big Buddha’s finger being
polished, great to show the size of him.
Difficult to find out about the statue
except for this snippet: The Big Buddha of Phuket,
พระพุทธมิ่งมงคลเอกเนาคคีรี (Phra Phutta Ming Mongkol Akenakiri or Ming Mongkol Buddha), is on
the peak of a mountain near Muang Phuket, or Phuket town (ภูเก็ต). The image is 45 metres in height and
covered in white Burmese marble.
Phuket's Big Buddha is one of the island's most important and revered landmarks. The huge image sits on top of the Nakkerd Hills between Chalong and Kata and is easily seen from far away. The lofty site offers the best 360-degree views of the island, with sweeping vistas of Phuket Town, Kata, Karon beaches, Chalong Bay and surrounding areas. We took the six-kilometre road leading from Phuket's main artery route. Big Buddha close up to the image itself, it is very peaceful and the only noises you will hear are the tinkling of small bells and the yellow Buddhist flags in the compound flapping in the wind, with soft background dharma music. Known among Thais as the Phra Puttamingmongkol Akenakkiri Buddha in full, it is 25 meters across at the base. The whole body is constructed with reinforced concrete layered with beautiful Burmese white jade marble that shines in the sun, making it a natural symbol of hope.
Behind Big Buddha. The smaller Buddha statue positioned nearby which is gold in colour, though actually made of brass.
Images around Big Buddha and below where he sits.
Ao Chalong, just one of the views from the top.
One last Buddha before we started down the hill. The image in the middle is called PhraphutthaMingmongkolEaknakakeeree. I liked the lady on the right.........................
.......because she sat on a crocodile.
At the bottom Alex and I received our blessing and bracelet from a monk.
We were admiring some of the thirty two Buddha's when a monkey stole a can of Coke.
Just two of the massive pieces of marble and thousands of little marble tiles yet to be placed.
As we left I saw this beautiful orchid and a very handsome rooster, nearing his New Year.
ALL IN ALL A MUST SEE IN PHUKET A HUMUNGOUS ONGOING STRUCTURE |
