It is always fascinating to visit a spiritual place such as a temple where your eyes are opened and your soul is touched. That was exactly where I had been to 3 months ago back in Taiping. The moment I scaled up the somewhat enigmatic Wat Deva Raja Banphot Temple, I knew something special was awaiting me. Yep, we actually had to climb a few flights of steps before we arrived at the summit of a hill, where the Wat Deva Raja Banphot Temple sits. The stairway to "heaven" had been a daunting one. Very steep and the steps were small.
From my observation, the Wat Deva Raja Banphot Temple is being maintained by the Thais community in Taiping, especially those residing in Pondok Tanjung. When we arrived at the foot of the hill, we could see some Thais were gathering outside a hut. They were performing some rituals. So we started to our ascent carefully. After our nerve-wreaking climb, we finally arrived at the top with a huge tree greeting our arrival. It was really breathtaking to be on the hill where the Wat Deva Raja Banphot Temple nestles.
There was no fancy carving in the temple nor was there any fancy walls enveloping the temple...wait...there is no walls or roofs at all. Wat Deva Raja Banphot Temple is an open temple at the top of the hill whereby worshipers can be closer to their Gods and deities without those unnecessary roofs huh! The surrounding view from the top was really amazing.
Altogether there were around 7 different gods and deities being worshiped in this temple. Even though it is a Thais Temple, Guanyin (Goddess of Mercy) is one of the deities being worshiped here. Weird? Nope, this goes to show that Buddhisms is faith that transcends all boundaries aye? At the time of our visit, there was no other visitors or worshipers on top of the hill. Just the five of us-my father-in-law, wifey, sister-in-law, Jordan, Jasmine and me. :)
Since there was no one else, I felt really, really at ease while offering my sincere prayers to all the deities. Walking around at the top of the hill really made me feel so released, seriously. The sensation of serenity seeping into my every pore, conjuring that unmistakable peaceful feeling in the recesses of my soul. Perhaps being in such a simple temple made me feel so unattached? Perhaps this temple is not known publicly? On our way down, I noticed there was an altar with a little crystal pagoda sitting on top of it. Strangely there was a book beside it. I wonder what they meant...
I will never forget Wat Deva Raja Banphot Temple; Despite being relatively modest, it exuded so much tranquility that made me feel so calm. Gotta thank my father-in-law for this totally unplanned trip to this temple. Hopefully one day I could ascend this majestic temple again. Maybe I could even join other worshipers during the Loi Krathong festival? To get the directions to Wat Deva Raja Banphot Temple, click here. :)
From my observation, the Wat Deva Raja Banphot Temple is being maintained by the Thais community in Taiping, especially those residing in Pondok Tanjung. When we arrived at the foot of the hill, we could see some Thais were gathering outside a hut. They were performing some rituals. So we started to our ascent carefully. After our nerve-wreaking climb, we finally arrived at the top with a huge tree greeting our arrival. It was really breathtaking to be on the hill where the Wat Deva Raja Banphot Temple nestles.
There was no fancy carving in the temple nor was there any fancy walls enveloping the temple...wait...there is no walls or roofs at all. Wat Deva Raja Banphot Temple is an open temple at the top of the hill whereby worshipers can be closer to their Gods and deities without those unnecessary roofs huh! The surrounding view from the top was really amazing.
Altogether there were around 7 different gods and deities being worshiped in this temple. Even though it is a Thais Temple, Guanyin (Goddess of Mercy) is one of the deities being worshiped here. Weird? Nope, this goes to show that Buddhisms is faith that transcends all boundaries aye? At the time of our visit, there was no other visitors or worshipers on top of the hill. Just the five of us-my father-in-law, wifey, sister-in-law, Jordan, Jasmine and me. :)
Don't you think this pillar look amazing. It's like scales on a snake.
It had been a rewarding visit to Wat Deva Raja Banphot Temple.
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