There are many temples on the island of Phuket, but many tourists do not have much interest in them. In fact, such tourists are not difficult to understand, since the temples in Phuket do not amaze with their grandeur. Only the Big Buddha Temple may be of any interest, but mainly because of its hilltop location. So it should come as no surprise that Karon Temple, although one of Phuket's most famous temples, receives little attention from the tourists who stay at the hotels on this famous beach. It is unlikely that anyone will deliberately travel even from Patong Beach to Karon just to see this temple.
The Karon Temple is located about half a kilometer from the beach, on Pathak Road. If your hotel is located in the northern part of Karon Beach, then the temple will be within walking distance. In that case, it is definitely worth spending a few minutes of your time to visit this place. By the way, a market opens near the temple on Tuesdays and Saturdays, so many tourists, willy-nilly, have to see this temple during a visit to the market. Considering that the market on Karon is visited by almost all tourists relaxing on this beach, it turns out that almost all tourists see this temple.
Temple on the map of Karon
If you go to the temple on Karon, you will see that there are only a few monks working there, who are mainly engaged in cleaning the temple and the area around it. The main temple building is guarded by two huge snakes (Nagas), whose bodies continue around the entire building. Doors and windows engraved with scenes from the life of Buddha may impress you if you examine them in more detail. Tourists in most cases do not even pay attention to these elements.
Today at the Karon Temple you can find a small oasis of calm, which is located very close to the main road, close to the busy tourist area.
Temple Suwan Khiri Ket (Karon) in Phuket: description
Suvan Khiri Ket Temple (Karon) is one of the attractions located in the southwest of Phuket island. The temple was built in 1895 and recently underwent a complete restoration, making the buildings here look fresh, bright and attractive.
The territory where the temple is located is quite large. There are several main buildings that you can visit. There are four of them in total - this is a small building located in the center of the square, where, traditionally, it is customary to pray and leave offerings to Buddha, whose statue, by the way, is made here of black sapphire and is guarded by two characters from the famous ancient Indian epic. Nearby you will see an oval building where firecrackers explode to scare away evil spirits.
The next building available to you will be a souvenir shop, where you can contact the spirits and bring your donations.
Next is a large room where in the paintings you will see the stages of Buddha’s enlightenment. Here, around 9 am, a large number of Thais gather, who, while reading sacred mantras, charge water and other products, pray in front of a large number of sacred figures, leave notes and donations.
The next building you can visit will be a large, free-standing rectangular building, guarded by two large emerald-colored dragons. In the evening (sometimes it is open during the day), from approximately 17:00 to 20:00, it opens for visits and prayers.
Inside you will see large red carpets containing cushions used for prayers in front of the Buddha statue. A lot of gold and red colors during the day, in the light of the sun, create a blinding effect!
On the square you will see a building that you will not be allowed to climb into - it is a multi-level, rounded building, on top of which there is a bell, which is rung on major holidays, as well as at the beginning and end of prayers!
Next to this building, you will see another large statue, with many gifts.
Karon Temple on the map
You can find Karon Temple by driving your vehicle along Highway 4028, on the west side of the island. After 600 meters, from the Karon road ring, from the northern part of the road, you will see this temple.
During the evening market it will be difficult to park your vehicle here.
On normal days, you will be able to park at the fence that runs along the road or in the temple grounds.
Parking cost: free
You can also contact us in a way convenient for you and we will organize a transfer for you to all interesting places on the island, including this temple!
Suwan Khiri Ket Temple (Karon) on the Phuket map: 7.847761, 98.297950
Suwan Khiri Ket Temple: opening hours and entrance fees
Suwan Khiri Ket Temple starts receiving visitors at 06:00 and ends around 20:00.
Entrance fee to the temple: free
Attention
On the territory of Buddhist temples, it is necessary to have clothing covering your shoulders and knees. You should not come here in swimsuits and swimming trunks on the way to the beach.
Temple Market: Karon
On Tuesday and Friday, from 16:30 to 21:00, most of the territory of the Karon Temple turns into a large market where you can buy everything your heart desires, from clothes to clothes that you can buy as a gift for yourself and to your loved ones!
Suwan Khiri Ket Temple (Karon): review
Many tourists live near the Suvan Khiri Ket temple and, going to the sea or returning from the beach, pass through the temple grounds to look at these beautiful, golden-colored structures. Half of the temple grounds, on normal days, are used as an empty parking lot for cars, which does not create the relaxing and calm atmosphere here that is inherent in other temples located in more picturesque places on the island. But, nevertheless, the Karon Temple is an interesting place that you should visit in search of spiritual enlightenment and acquaintance with, - there is something to see and capture in memory, both yours and your gadget, so that later, while on homeland, look at the beauty of this place behind the screen of your monitor, on a winter evening!
See you at the Suvan Khiri Ket Temple in Phuket!
Reminder
Expand your horizons, find out: and!
- Tags:
Markets in Thailand are not only a place where retail transactions for the purchase and sale of goods take place, but also an entire culture. The markets are always bustling with life, in which local residents are directly involved; here they shop, eat, buy ready-made food to take home, communicate and just spend time.
Almost every beach in Phuket has its own night market. These markets operate outdoors (also called street markets) in the evening and are intended for leisurely strolls, small purchases of beachwear, souvenirs and other trinkets, and the enjoyment of street food, rather than larger purchases.
The night market in Karon is also a popular place visited by almost all tourists.
Market location, how to get there
The Night Market Karon is located in the center of the “tourist” Karon, on the territory of the Wat Suwan Khiri Khet temple. The market is called the Karon Temple Market.
The best attractions and holiday destinations in Karon
Karon Beach is one of the most popular resorts in Phuket and for good reason. To begin with, it is on Karon that you will find one of the most extensive beaches on the island, as well as a wide range of different hotels in the area, ready to offer services for every taste and budget. The spread of restaurants and cafes on Karon Beach is also very significant and deserves a special mention - there is everything from long rows of eateries to respectable restaurants. In addition, having transformed from a small fishing village into a modern resort by Thai standards, Karon somehow managed to maintain its leisurely atmosphere and special energy.
Our list of the top 5 things to do in Karon Beach contains the must-see places and activities you should take part in to experience the full atmosphere of the magnificent Karon Beach, the best family holiday destination in Phuket.
Karon Beach is one of the longest beaches in Phuket - its length is 5 km. and is second only to Mai Khao (9 km) and Bangtao (6 km). The southern and central parts of the beach are more populated and popular among tourists than its northern end, where there are huge and expensive hotels, such as the Centara Grand Beach resort. Small beach bars line the entire length of the beach and offer refreshing drinks, fruits and snacks.
There is a lot to do here - the beach is full of offers to rent a jet ski and parasailing, much more than in Patong, in addition, there are more convenient bays for skiing and more open space. Also very popular among tourists are banana boat rides, water skiing, wakeboarding and windsurfing. At the southern end of the beach you can rent diving equipment, as there are quite a lot of underwater rocks and reefs that are interesting for tourists.
Wat Karon
Wat Karon (Karon Temple) stands approximately 500 meters from the central part of Karon Beach. This temple was built back in 1895, but was then reconstructed into a three-story temple complex with monastic cells, a large prayer hall and a common kitchen where staff prepare food for the regular religious ceremonies held in the temple. The monastic hall is located in a separate, magnificently decorated building, which is guarded by two statues of the mythical snake Naga.
Temples in Thai villages are cultural centers for the population, and Karon Temple is also a great place to relax under the shade of trees, it is much loved by older villagers and often relax here in a peaceful atmosphere on a hot day. Twice a week (every Tuesday and Saturday) this calm and measured life changes, since the rather famous Karon Market operates on the basis of Wat Karon.
Karon Market is a very popular place for a wide variety of shopping, located in the heart of Karon Beach right on the territory of a Thai temple. The area of the temple reaches 12 square meters. km., which twice a week (on Tuesdays and Saturdays) turn into a platform for lively trade, where every buyer is sure to find a huge selection of various locally produced and farmed goods. Like many street markets in Phuket, Karon Market starts in the afternoon, when the heat subsides somewhat.
The range of goods on offer at the market is aimed mainly at holidaymakers - from lightweight T-shirts with a luminescent Singha beer logo to Thai national bags, pareos, sarongs and colorful swimwear and accessories, as well as all sorts of souvenirs and gifts for friends back home. A Thai market wouldn't be a true Thai market without snacks and refreshments, and Karon Market delivers on this front by offering a variety of delicacies and Thai snacks.
SPA and Thai massage in Karon
The art of Thai massage has deservedly gained wide popularity around the world due to its quality. Many tourists certainly include Thai massage in their list of must-visits during their stay in Phuket. On Karon Beach you can find many high-class spa centers offering Thai massage, where massage masters use such extraordinary ingredients as royal Thai honey, black sesame or chocolate.
Like Thai cooking classes, the most famous spas are located in huge resorts. Well-known hotels such as the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa (076-396433) and Mövenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach (076-396139) have world-class spa centers on their premises. Also very popular among tourists are separately located spa centers, such as the Body and Mind Day Spa (076-398274), located opposite the Black Pearl restaurant near Lake Karon. For those who like a more relaxed atmosphere and affordable prices, there are beach tents where the massage therapists also have a high level of skill.
Wat Karon (Wat Suwan Kirikhet) is the only temple near Karon Beach that attracts attention with its colorful architecture.
Description
The temple was founded in 1895 and was restored several years ago. At the entrance to the temple there are two emerald snakes - Naga, protecting this place from evil spirits.
On the walls and doors inside you can see a large number of paintings depicting the life of the Buddha, as well as the fight with the devil that took place before his enlightenment. The adjacent pagoda houses two paintings from the Ramayana, and between them is a beautiful Buddha statue made of beautiful black sapphire.
Also in the temple there are many images of supernatural creatures that scare away bad spirits.
On Tuesdays and Saturdays from 16:00 to 22:00 there is a market next to the temple, which attracts the attention of both tourists and local residents. There is a large selection of local products, clothing, shoes, accessories, beach goods, jewelry, natural cosmetics, souvenirs and much more. Everything in the market is quite cheap, since it is believed that buyers should not be deceived at the temple.
Practical information
Address: Thailand, Phuket Island, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket, Thailand.
Opening hours: daily 08:30-18:00.
Admission is free, but donations are accepted.
Coordinates: 7.847954, 98.297718.
How to get there
You can get to the temple by car. From Patong you need to go to the Karon ring, then turn left. The temple is located at the end of the road, about 500 meters from the beach.
0 -0