Temples of delight in Thailand

There are no full moon parties in Isaan, perhaps Thailands' least touristy region. Instead you'll find sleepy villages, Khmer architecture, and a boutique hotel right on the Mekong

After hacking through undergrowth for a couple of hours, we emerged sweaty, muddy and bedraggled at the 25m-high Tok Haew Narok falls, which (please excuse yet another reference to The Beach in a Thailand article) are the ones Leonardo DiCaprio leapt from in the film. We scrambled down to swim in the turquoise pool below it.
My guide – called Apple – and I were following a challenging 8km trail through the Khao Yai national park, a huge tract of monsoon forest and a Unesco world heritage site two hours north of Bangkok. On the western edge of the Isaan region, it is home to tigers, bears, leopards, deer, gibbons, hornbills and elephants.
The Isaan region covers a huge swathe of north-east Thailand stretching to the Mekong river, Laos and Cambodia. It is the country's least visited area – as close to the "old Thailand" as you can get, and a welcome change from the tour group- and backpacker-choked northern destinations of Chiang Mai and the Golden Triangle.
Boutique hotels are few and far between, a steaming broth of noodle soup replaces the banana pancake breakfast, and pedicabs rather than taxis or tuk-tuks are the main mode of transport. I encountered sleepy, small rural towns that depend on farming, not tourism, despite the fact that this area is not only a stunning natural wilderness, but also full of fantastic Khmer temples.
Just like those in Cambodia (including Angkor Wat), the 182 Khmer sites in Isaan were built by the God Kings of Angkor, who at the height of their supremacy, from the ninth to the 13th century, extended their empire into Burma. Many of the finest examples of Khmer architecture are to be found on Issan's Khorat Plateau, clustered around Buriram, Surin and Khorat provinces. I explored many of them and, more often than not, I had them pretty much to myself.
The jewel in the crown was undoubtedly Phimai, 60 miles north-east of Khorat, less than three hours from Bangkok. The temple complex is right in the heart of the otherwise humdrum little town of Phimai, and entering it is like walking into a secret, mythical garden. The whole complex is dominated by an exquisite prang (tower), the iconic corn-on-the-cob-like Khmer structure – in fact, some claim that Angkor Wat was modelled on Phimai.
Apple and I sat, cocooned in a soporific tropical haze, transfixed, as the sandstone of the temple absorbed the last rays of the weakening sun, and were joined by a group of novice monks in saffron robes, who imparted spiritual wisdom about Lampard and Rooney.
The next morning we were up at dawn for a two-hour drive east across the flat, dusty landscape of the Khorat Plateau to another great Thai Khmer monument, Phanom Rung. Although Isaan is a vast region, distances between the Khmer temples are short, and all the main sites can be seen in a couple of days.
Phanom Rung is perched atop an extinct volcano, with panoramic views of the surrounding plain, and I climbed up steps worn down by centuries of visiting Buddhist pilgrims to a promenade overlooking the exquisite sandstone tower of the main temple, with its labyrinth of hidden chambers.
A few miles on was the Meuang Tam complex, based on the design of Angkor Wat, but with four L-shaped ponds covered with colourful lotus flowers.
I ventured east next, towards the Mekong valley, into rural landscapes full of paddy fields broken up by palm trees – Thailand is the world's largest rice exporter and much of the crop is grown in Isaan.
Isaan hot is a different kettle of spice from regular Thai hot as I found out when I ordered larb moo (minced pork salad) in a small roadside restaurant.
Several hours later we had made it to Khong Jiam, a somnolent river town, beautifully located on a peninsula where the blue waters of the river Mun are overwhelmed by the bubbling chocolate that is the Mekong. After staying in many basic rural lodges during our journey, I was overjoyed to find a boutique hotel here, the Tohsang Khong Jiam, right on the bank of the Mekong, with enchanting views of the mountains of Laos on the other side.
Leaving Kong Jiam to head back to Bangkok, we stumbled upon Wat Tham Khuha Sawan, which overlooks the town and the river. In complete contrast to the bewitching Khmer temples, this modern temple, built in 1978, has a surreal theme park feel to it, with a mish-mash of flamboyant architectural styles. A huge elephant protects the Buddha images below, and the main stupa's golden spires wink conspiratorially in the dazzling light. There is a dreamlike bell tower, topped with fierce nagas (mythical serpent deities) and golden spires. In Isaan, always prepare for the unexpected.
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Explore the majestic splendor of Vietnam temples

Thank you for the feedback. Report another imagePlease report the offensive image. CancelDoneVietnam is located on the South China Sea, and is bordered with China to the north. It is a varied country in value of topography, with towering mountains, sticky jungles, and striking beaches. With a fascinating history to modern day Vietnam, planning Vietnam vacations and booking the flights to Vietnam will definitely have a series of experiences to pick from.
The most dominant religion of Vietnam is Buddhism, even though the history of Vietnam contains a heavy Hindu influence. Since Temples are the vital element of the Buddhism and Hinduism culture and religion therefore, Vietnam is occupied widely with such attractively decorated, olden times and inspiring that are the part of Vietnam tours. So, book your seats in flights to Vietnam and explore the majestic beauty of these awesome temples.
In addition, you will also discover Vietnam temples in palaces and pagodas. There is yet a combination of rock temple and lighthouse at the edge of the Duong Dong River on Phu Quoc Island close to the Mekong Delta shore. Few of the most striking temples in Vietnam are present in the antique royal capital of Hue. These temples have received equal appreciation from the locals as well as the international visitors of the Vietnam flights. One of the striking is the Meu Temple.
The number of Temples in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are limitless. Almost all vacation packages and tour operators offering the flights to Vietnam include at least a photo stop at the Hanoi’s Temple of Literature. In 1076, the first university was originated in this historic temple. It was an impressive Imperial university dedicated for the aristocrats, nobles, and family of the king. Here you will observe 82 stone bars engraved with the names of graduates dating back as far as 1484. The tourists on the leisure and exploratory voyage never miss the trip to the temple during their travel through flights to Vietnam.
Some other famous temples in Hanoi are the Ngoc Son, present on an island in the middle of one of Vietnam’s stunning lakes. Acknowledged as the Jade Mountain Temple or Temple in the Lake, it was initially constructed in the fourteenth century. It is devoted to some of the ancient scholars and national heroes of the country. Explore the charisma of Vietnam temples by taking one of the flights to Vietnam.
The temples found in Ho Chi Minh City bear the heavy influences from China and India. The Hindu Mariamman Temple was constructed by the Tamil Nadu traders on the eastern shore of India. With its complicated carving tower, it is devoted for numerous deities.

Flashbacks From Here and There: Temples of Nepal

KATHMANDU, Nepal — Grown into a city, Narayanghat was a raucous dirty place. Heavy traffic belching pollution, ground over a bridge across the Narayani River that Gina used to ford with some peril from uprooted trees that rushed down with the current.
On the main street we found the house of her Nepali friend's uncle where we were invited to stay. In keeping with male tradition, he held sway over the household.
We were greeted by his daughter-in-law, a pretty, sad-eyed young woman gracefully molded into a bright sari. She led us upstairs to the living quarters and left us to summon others of her family and to bring us tea.
Her younger brother, husky, good-looking young man wearing shorts and a black T-shirt emblazoned with "BOO," immediately made us feel at home. He had just returned after six years in Russia, where he learned the language and now was a doctor.
Her husband came in with their 2-year-old son who belted me in the eye while he was being introduced to us. Gina tried to hold the kid who almost ripped off her glasses. She found it humorous. "Male dominance is instilled from childhood," she said. "Great," I thought. "He tries it again I'll return the favor."
Male children are pampered, Gina said later. It is different with female children. Male dominance is instilled from childhood.
The daughter-in-law floated around the household in the background, seemingly serene, cleaning, cooking, washing, serving, keeping her unruly son in check.
With sweet words. She seemed to be barely acknowledged, even by her husband. She had trained to be a microbiologist. "She was only the daughter-in-law, whose job was to produce children, preferably male, and to serve the family," Gina said. "If she produces more children, her status in the family will rise."
Gina reveled in speaking Nepali and chatted away with the people we met as if they were long lost friends.
Our hostess was a tiny, merry, wrinkled lady who moved about unobtrusively. Gina and she hit it off like long-lost-friends. Gina reveled in speaking Nepali again.
We went to look for her school and the house she had lived in. She said everything seemed different. We found the school, a drab, mildewed, two-story concrete survivor, empty for the day but still in use. The classrooms looked much the same despite the passage of three decades, Gina said.
Because it was surrounded by newer buildings, her former house and the school were hard to find. The school was a drab, mildewed survivor, with bare-bones classrooms but looking the same as they did three decades ago, Gina said.
Gina's apartment was in a small stuccoed building. It seemed uninhabited and forlorn. A messy, muddy puddle obstructed the front door. A curtain-less window with a gourd on the sill looked out over the dirt road to the river.
A tailor had his shop across the street. There was a moment of uncertainty. Then they recognized each other. He had opened the shop as a young man shortly before Gina arrived. His beard now was streaked with gray. He insisted we have a Coke in his shop. He had four sewing machines, and people working for him, and evidently was doing well. He told Gina her landlord had passed away.
We bought pineapples and bananas from street vendors for the tailor and his family and returned to the household. We were served snacks in the living room where a video of "The Lion King" was playing on the TV. One plate contained a pile of boiled boar bits that after our first tentative bite, were quickly made to disappear.
That night there was a festival commemorating the dearly departed. We were on the dark main street as a clang of drums and cymbals approached. Bobbing kerosene lanterns splashed wavering light on the shadowy male marchers who whirled and danced as the shouted a rhythmic chant. Our host was among them, thumping vigorously on a small drum.
Later, Gina asked our happy host what it all meant. "It has been going on for generations," he said. "We don't even know why we do it anymore. But we do it. It's just a tradition."
Later we went to bed in the room that had been prepared for us. Half asleep I was aware of someone arranging a mosquito netting over me. We woke shortly after dawn to see two cow heads floating past our window. That seemed strange since we were on the second floor. We learned later they were attached to long sticks that were draped with cloth. Each was carried by a marcher who looked out through slits in the cloth. Below each carved head was a portrait of a deceased person. It was a festive, yet solemn day, a mix of solemnity and holiday cheer.
Everyone was cordial when we left. The daughter-in-law embraced Gina who in return, gave her a little present. Touched, she said to Gina, "I like you very much."

Nick Ellena, a retired reporter with the Enterprise-Record who covered Butte County government for decades, shares his memories of his world travels in this column.

Temple and its different conception

 

The word temple is a polysemous word that means different thing to different people. It was derived from the latin word “templum” meaning, a sacred place or a place of worship. In the history of temple, the first temple was built by Solomon in 957 BC and destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar II in 586 BC; while the second temple was destroy by the Romans in 70 AD. As it was said earlier that temple means different thing to different people. We can then analyses the different meaning ascribed to the word temple.

Temple could be referred to as a place of worship. The JUDAISM viewed it as synagogue which is a place of worship and communal centre of a Jewish congregation. In another way round, it could also be understood as a place of worship for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where sacred ordinances such as marriage are executed. It could also be a meeting place where fraternal order holds their meetings and perform their rites.

Temple could also be seen as an institution or building considered as a guardian of, or reservation for a particular activity and lastly, temple could be understood to be a place where something holy or divine is thought to dwell. That is, the body of a holy person. Therefore, what temple means to one person maybe different from the meaning given to it by another person.