Thailand

Phu Phra Bhat Historical Park

One photograph of in-flight magazine caught my eye on to way Udon Thani. Strange shapes of rock stalls lead me to Phu Phra Bhat Historical Park located 68km northwest from central of Udon Thani in the National Forest.

Map of Phu Phra Bhat Historical Park

The place used to be religious rituals were performed.
Erosion works leading to variety rock shapes. These rock stalls suggest that evidence of ancient men in pre-historic age and in historic age these were turn into religious place by Buddhist and Hindu.Surrounded small stone tablets considered the place used to be religious rituals were held.

Ancient painting

Cows	Human figure

These ancient painting with red pigments suggests that pre-historic men once lived in this area.

Nang Usa lived this pavilion
"Usa's-Tower" is symbol of this park

According to the in-flight magazine there is folk-tale a story of tragic love. Shall I sum up the story?

Once upon a time there is young maiden named Nang Usa who had falling love with Tao Baros each other. To know the intimacy her stepfather Tao Kongparn ordered the capture and death of Baros.

They decided to hold competition of construct temple within a day, or the competitor's head would be the price.

Using Nang Usa's nannies brains quickly Baros had completed the task within the deadline, so Tao Kongarn lost his head and Baros took Nang Usa.

Subsequently, destiny changed for the worse Baros lost his beloved Nang Usa by her dead.

So they say that the group of ancient monuments was named after this tale. You can find names for Tao Baros' horse, Nang Usa's tower and Father-in-law and son-in-law temple in the park.

Lovely bamboo trash blend with the surroundings

Wat Phra That Phra Phutthabat Bua Bok

The temple famous for "Foot image of Buddha" located about 1 and half kilometers from Phu Phra Bhat Historical Park in upper plateau of the National Forest.

White Pagoda

Foot image of Buddha in Pagoda

Historical Park view from the temple

Wat Khaek

Next day I went to Nong Khai, that is located 50-kilometers from Udon Thani beside Mekong River, for across the Thai-Laos friendship bridge to Vientiane. As I heard there is strange temple I decided to go Wat Khaek before pass the border.

This temple built by Brahmanism monk Luang Puu. At first he established Wat Xieng Khuan in Laos, after the time of 1975 Revolution he escape to Thailand and built similar temple in Nong Khai.

Wat Khaek in Thailand

Wat Xieng Khuan in Laos

Let's compare these two statues; you know they are very picture like twins.

Gods of Hindu, Buddha images, Naga, etc..

The precincts is full to overcrowding with fantastic shapes.

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