KEE@FSWMAG.COM
This is one of the most incredible sights of Kelantan my home state and only 40 minutes' slow drive from Kota Baru my hometown! Yet it is a surreal world apart! Imagine driving along a small, narrow, untarred road in a nondescript village called Kampong Balai in Bachok district only to be confronted by the stunning sight of twin dragons facing each other with the Flaming Pearl in the centre!
Its Thai name is Wat Photikyan but everyone simply calls it Double Dragon Temple or Twin Dragon Temple or Standing Buddha Temple.
To think a magnificent temple of this stature is found in the outback of Kelantan which is under strict Islamic rule is this side of incredible! Of course the locals are all Buddhists but they number less than a thousand, in fact around 600! Yet they and their local monks managed to raise millions to build this homage to Buddha, Kuan Yin and the pantheon of the gods, goddesses and deities! Miraculous!
Visiting Double Dragon and other temples in Kelantan is worth a trip and you need at least 3 to 5 days to explore and enjoy the main temples which are mostly if not entirely Thai in nature though all have typical Chinese touches.
Entrance to Wat Pothikyan
Thai pavilions in the compound
The 108 metre Standing Buddha
The Wishing Tree is also famous
The main temple
Amazing
Stunning
Awesome
The Kuan Yin Temple
Entrance to Kuan Yin Temple
Ng Kun Tek praying
Grand
Ng Kun Tek
The tails of the 2 dragons meet at the back of Buddha
Shrines bought by Buddhists to hold the ashes of their loved ones and for themselves. My parents and I plan to be here after we ascend to heaven so visit us or tell your children as we plan to live long!
Back of Buddha
Buddha from the base
Buddha towers above the 2 dragons
This is what you see as you drive in
Closer
Car driving in
This magnificent tree is strung with colourful ribbons on which wishes are written
You can see the ribbons and buntings hanging on the branches. This was taken around 6.30 pm
Due to Buddha's intercession, the entire temple was deserted so Ng Kun Tek and I had Wat Photikyan all to ourselves! Miraculous!
The light was fading slowly
The lamps come on
Spectacular sight of tree and Standing Buddha
What a view
I am a brilliant composer of photos!
Kuan Yin temple at twilight
Dragon staircase
Kuan Yin and her 2 acolytes
Jade Maiden and Golden Youth
Kuan Yin stands atop a coiled dragon
108 metre Standing Buddha
Ng Kun Tek is beloved by dogs wherever he goes which proves he is a good guy as those who dislike or fear dogs are sad and bad with lousy karma. Of course dogs adore me too!
Ng Kun Tek chatting with the darling doggies
So many Dediones as all dogs are named Dedione after my darling son
Animated conversation
Ng Kun Tek praying to Kuan Yin who says his name will shine like a star but I dunno when
Kee Hua Chee is a super star of the first magnitude as dictated by the gods and goddesses
Kee Hua Chee prays to his patron goddess Kuan Yin the Goddess of Mercy
Yahoo
The little huts bought by Buddhists for their ashes
Golden dragon tails behind Buddha
Golden shrines to store the urns of devotees' ashes
Dusk came
I walked to the car and passed Kuan Yin temple again for a last lookee
Ng Kun Tek playing with Dediones
So stunning the colour contrast
The 4 Face Brahma shrine like the one at Erawan Shrine in Bangkok
The night was approaching fast
The light had gone
The stars come out
Notice the 2 stars at left and right of Buddha! Plus teh light on His head!
Ng Kun Tek praying to Brahma
