L ocated in Ban Lamai on the main road is the Wat Lamai Temple Folklore Museum Koh Samui. Positioned on a sharp bend in the heart of Lamai. Two huge Yak statues stand majestically either side of the entrance to Lamai Temple. The Yaks are warriors who guard and defend the Buddha Statues within the temple grounds. At the entrance is a small car park to the right. The temple is the hub of the community locals visit daily to pray and offer gifts to Buddha. Weddings funerals and festivals are hosted on a regular basis at Wat Lamai Temple. Music concerts and special events, and cinema nights are held within the temple grounds. It’s a great place to visit during your stay on the island of Koh Samui.
T he walls and the roof of this ‘terracotta’ temple are embellished with bas-reliefs and thoroughly executed sculptures. But wait until you go inside! There is Rahu, eating up the sun, above the entrance, sneaking up on you. On the left – sea demons are sticking out their heads from stormy waves and huge fish is swallowing someone. On the right – the warriors of the God of apes Hanuman are fighting. And on a carved wooden shutter, there is a man-warrior is leaving for the jungle on a huge wild bore.
T he walls and the ceiling come to life just before your eyes, something important and magical is going on each square centimeter. As for the rest, it is gloomy and empty here. The only exception is big Buddha, painted in imitation of gold, he sits in farthest corner of the temple on the base, made of carved ceramics. They haven’t removed a polyethylene cover from him yet.
T
he Wat Lamai is the hub of the community and locals visit daily to pray and offer gifts to Buddha. Within the temple grounds is Lamai Temple School.
The children in the playground are curious to see the tourists and giggling and waving to get your attention. Do not enter the playground or school
grounds it is not open to the public. A great place to visit during your stay on the island revealing the history of Lamai and Koh Samui.
Locals and tourists donate flowers, food, and money for the upkeep of the temple. The monks wander the temple grounds attending to their daily chores.
The Buddhist monks live behind the temple evident from the distinctive orange robes on the washing lines. The temple is one of the busiest on the Island
of Samui. Wat Lamai Temple Folklore Museum is home to an array of
Koh Samui’s history. Within the grounds, monks feed stray dogs who
wander around the temple and appear at feeding time. The monks welcome donations of dog and cat food to the temple.
T
he Folklore Museum is a cultural center that houses artifacts from Koh Samui’s history. The historical Buddhist
artifacts are housed in the community cultural hall behind the temple. A 2000-year-old ceremonial drum unearthed in Lamai is now displayed in the
Wat Lamai temple grounds. There are brass statues and stone carvings adorning the hall of the Lamai temple museum. The earthenware pots of different
shapes and sizes show their age from the faded colours. The collections from different eras of Koh Samui’s history are on show for the public to visit.
Remove your shoes before entering the museum temple. The mix of artifacts give an insight into the culture and the religious beliefs of
Samui’s history.
Article:https://www.welovekohsamui.com/listing/wat-lamai-temple-folklore-museum/
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