Officially known as Phra Phutta Ming Mongkol Akenakiri (or Ming Mongkol Buddha), overseas tourists like us would just label the humongous statue on top of Mount Nagakerd simply as Big Buddha as not many of us would be able to pronounce the name that accurately!
I intentionally indicated it as part of the day trip itinerary since it appeared to be the norm and to be honestly, it's a guarantee that you would likely get some great view since the statue is at a mountain peak.
Still in the midst of construction.
Please dress appropriately and it's just a matter of bare-shoulder tee, short skirt or pants! Please refer to the above for the comprehensive list.
In the event you still conveniently forget about the dress code, sarongs / scarves are available at a counter near the entrance. Donations are welcome!
Let's proceed!
There was a list of objectives for the Big Buddha; something i don't think i have seen before in other places of worship! Nevertheless, i was drawn to the last point; "to be an emergency shelter in case of a waterborne disaster such as flooding, tsunami etc".
The Sala of Faiths.
Big Buddha juxtaposed with the steel bars! Frankly, i am unsure how long it would take for the whole complex to be completed as the base structure itself was already showing signs of age.
Dad - my always-enthusiastic model.
Statue on the right is King Chulalongkorn, 5th monarch of the Thai Chakri dynasty and the first Thai king to visit Phuket back in 1871! He is of no stranger to me since i am history student in secondary school and had to memorise the history of Southeast Asia!
There were two noticeable groups of visitors; one obviously taking tons of pictures of the Big Buddha and another group that's facing out!
I am showing you the scenery on the side first which was more of the mountain range. I am more worried of the dark clouds coming our way...
My dad again!
Presenting to you the scenery on top of Mount Nagakerd - i thought this was facing the section of Patong beach but it turned out to be the eastern side of Phuket; the Phuket town side.
Steps leading up to the stop of the Big Buddha.
I presumed the sides of the stairs would eventually be decorated with the Thai mythological snake; the ferocious looking Naga! Well, still a question mark i guess.
There's this stone plaque with the number 0 on it; anyone knows its significance? I only know that in Singapore; it pointed towards the milestone that drivers rely on although that's no longer in use nowadays.
Dad with the statue and also of the scenery of old Phuket town. Actually, it's where Wat Chalong (Phuket's biggest temple) was located but i didn't know then. If not, i would likely source out the impressive chedi we stepped into.
Basic information of the Phuket Big Buddha - it's 45 meters tall and about 25 meters wide; while the structure is reinforced concrete, its beautiful appearance was due to the layer of white Burmese jade marble!
Note that i put Phuket Big Buddha as it's not the tallest in Thailand; the one that took the first position stands at 92 meters and located near Bangkok; read here to find out more about the 14 biggest Buddha statues in Thailand!
Climbing up the stairs for an elevated view of the surroundings and to be closer to Buddha! Okay, not so much about the latter as being close to Buddha doesn't help you to gain any merit as a Buddhist.
Taking a photo of Alex who was seemingly bored as he doesn't quite enjoy temples as much as i do even though he doesn't say no if i ask him to follow me. He can't help it as i am usually the planner for trips. hahaha.
Panorama from the top of the stairs.
My dad has in his possession my old DSLR but for convenience, he prefers his camera phone nowadays; light and handy, the modern camera phone is also capable of taking nice photographs, especially the landscapes.
Of dad again! I couldn't wait for our China trip next year; hopefully the NATAS travel fair in February will have some great deals!
Phuket Big Buddha up close!
Another statue of King Chulalongkorn.
Statue of King Naresuan - he isn't part of the current Chakri dynasty that rules Thailand; however, he was known for being the person to regain Thailand's independence from the Burmese in year 1584.
Gong and bell adorned with golden love leaves. There are ample ways to donate to the Phuket Big Buddha and the golden love leaves would be one of them. Click here to read more.
Lazing cat!
Sheltered hut where you can sit and relax under the backdrop of nice scenery! I didn't need it then but i think visitors would be cramping in this hut an hour later when the rain started pelting!
You can actually walk directly underneath the Phuket Big Buddha; the unfinished section that would don't know take how long to complete. Click here for more pictures.
A much smaller statue was housed behind the Phuket Big Buddha; golden in colour, the 12-meter statue is actually made of brass and cost 8 million baht.
Pinky of Phuket Big Buddha; since we are on the topic of cost, the Big Buddha was said to cost 30 million baht but since the work is still ongoing, i believe the actual figure could be much higher.
Your contribution is obviously welcome to hopefully speed up the process and there are so many ways of donation, as i mentioned a few paragraphs above. :)
Was about to exit when i noticed a flight of stairs next to the big tree; not sure if it is the same kind of bodhi tree that Buddha gained enlightenment under its shade.
Two statues; including one relatively unknown one said to be the creator of ancient Indian medicine and the medical doctor of Buddha (before his nirvana i guess).
Buddha's footprint / handprint / seatprint; i can never quite get the rationale for their propagation as i am deeply skeptical when it comes to things like these.
The Khao Nakkerd View Point awaited us at the end of the stairs! This specific viewpoint looks towards the southern part of Phuket Island and if you zoom in, you can get a vague view of the wind turbines at Windmill Viewpoint and Promthep Cape; Phuket's southernmost point.
Time to exit!
Statue of Dharani Mata; i remembering seeing a statue of her in Bangkok near the Grand Palace. Surprise, surprise, she is actually a Hindu goddess.
In Thailand, Buddhism draws heavy references and influences from Hinduism and even the famous Erawan shrine in Bangkok is based on the Hindu God of Creation; Brahma.
Long way down.
Apparently there were monkeys around even though we didn't have the fortune of seeing them. My bet is that they would be the common long tailed macaques that are frequently seen in Singapore's nature reserves.
A long line of photos showcasing the beauty of Phuket Big Buddha.
Some were taken at sunrise and sunset and they were indeed beautiful. Although i can manage sunset, my body is too undisciplined to wake up that early for sunrises.
Model of Phuket Big Buddha.
There were alm bowls surrounding the model and you can take the coins from the counter above; i recalled a similar service in Wat Po.
Another chamber with buddha statues; this one had monks where i presume you would receive blessings from. Again, i am not too keen in such practices.
Free massage with coconut shells!
Got back to near where we started; frankly, after all the walking, my throat was a bit parched and i think it's good to have a beverage before we took the car.
Let's have coconut juice near the entrance by this nice, cheerful grandma!
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Location
Karon, Mueang Phuket District,
Phuket 83100, Thailand
Map
As above.
Facebook Page
Map within Big Buddha
As above.
Entry Tickets
Free entry; donations welcome.
Private Driver Arrangement
If you are interested to engage Mr Daj for your day trip, you may whatsapp him at +66 86 274 9195 or email him at ded.chatha@gmail.com.
What else i did in Phuket?
Check out my 5-day Phuket itinerary here!