Part 4
Project: Big Buddha
Years: 2002 — present
Location: Phuket, TH
Photos/Text: Victoria Savenkova
In Phuket, there’s a special place — Nagakerd Mountain, where, according to legend, the Naga serpent lived and Buddha meditated. Once, the locals noticed light spreading across the area, emanating from the teacher who had entered Nirvana. Today, this site is home to the Big Buddha temple — one of the island’s most impressive attractions.
Its construction began in 2002 and continues to this day through donations. The Big Buddha is a key part of the complex, which also includes a recreation level and a zone with a monument to the king and a sacred gong.
Facing east, the Big Buddha is situated on a pedestal, inside of which there is a small temple with sculptures of various religious figures.
The Buddha, sitting in the lotus position, is made of a reinforced concrete structure and clad in white jade marble from Myanmar, creating a glowing effect in the sunlight. The dimensions of the monument are 45*25 meters.
The Big Buddha, as it is popularly known, has another name — Pha Puttamingmongkoi Akenakkiri Buddha, meaning "The Sacred Favorable Lord Buddha on the top of Nagakerd Mountain." The project was intended to combine two distinctly different interests: religious and touristic.
This serene attraction is the result of a grand expression of Thai religiosity, visited by numerous tourists. There’s no feeling of hustle and tension here; on the contrary, the sea breeze, the ringing of bells, and the panoramas of Phuket allow for relaxation and immersion in the moment. The Big Buddha can be seen from many points on the island, creating a sensation as if the stone deity watches over and protects the island and its inhabitants.
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
@gorkjournal
Project: Big Buddha
Years: 2002 — present
Location: Phuket, TH
Photos/Text: Victoria Savenkova
In Phuket, there’s a special place — Nagakerd Mountain, where, according to legend, the Naga serpent lived and Buddha meditated. Once, the locals noticed light spreading across the area, emanating from the teacher who had entered Nirvana. Today, this site is home to the Big Buddha temple — one of the island’s most impressive attractions.
Its construction began in 2002 and continues to this day through donations. The Big Buddha is a key part of the complex, which also includes a recreation level and a zone with a monument to the king and a sacred gong.
Facing east, the Big Buddha is situated on a pedestal, inside of which there is a small temple with sculptures of various religious figures.
The Buddha, sitting in the lotus position, is made of a reinforced concrete structure and clad in white jade marble from Myanmar, creating a glowing effect in the sunlight. The dimensions of the monument are 45*25 meters.
The Big Buddha, as it is popularly known, has another name — Pha Puttamingmongkoi Akenakkiri Buddha, meaning "The Sacred Favorable Lord Buddha on the top of Nagakerd Mountain." The project was intended to combine two distinctly different interests: religious and touristic.
This serene attraction is the result of a grand expression of Thai religiosity, visited by numerous tourists. There’s no feeling of hustle and tension here; on the contrary, the sea breeze, the ringing of bells, and the panoramas of Phuket allow for relaxation and immersion in the moment. The Big Buddha can be seen from many points on the island, creating a sensation as if the stone deity watches over and protects the island and its inhabitants.
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
@gorkjournal