Chantharam Temple, Ratchaburi

Luang Por Anothai, the principal Buddha image in the Luang Por Anothai shrine, Wat Chantaram or Wat Nong Takaeng, Nong O Subdistrict, Ban Pong District, Ratchaburi Province "Luang Por Anothai" is a sacred Buddha image of Ratchaburi and is highly revered by the locals in Ban Pong District. It is also sacred and has been passed down for a long time. It is currently enshrined as the principal Buddha image in the Luang Por Anothai shrine at Wat Chantaram, Ratchaburi Province. As for the Buddha image "Luang Por Anothai", there is no clear record of the date and time of its creation. However, it has been told that originally, at Wat Nang No, Tambon Muang Chum, Amphoe Tha Muang, Kanchanaburi Province (now Wat Manothamaram), there were 3 Buddha images that appeared on the riverbank in front of the temple. One of the Buddha images appeared in the dreams of the locals of Nong Takaeng and said that it wanted to be enshrined at Wat Chantaram. Then, Phra Ajarn Daeng Lekdee, the abbot of Wat Chantaram at that time, along with the locals, traveled to invite Luang Por Anothai. When they arrived, it turned out that many villagers from other villages who heard the news also came to invite Luang Pho Anothai to enshrine in their villages as well, but they were unable to lift Luang Pho Anothai out of the water. Phra Ajarn Daeng lit incense and prayed, "If Luang Pho really wants to be at Wat Chantaram as he dreamed in the villagers' dreams, please let him be lifted up." And as if by a miracle, the villagers were able to lift Luang Pho out of the water without difficulty. Then they invited the Buddha statue to travel back to the temple by using a raft to float down the Mae Klong River and brought it onto a cart at the house of Luang Sit Thepkan. When they arrived in front of the temple, the cart wheel used to transport the Buddha statue broke. The villagers believed that this Buddha statue really wanted to be enshrined at Wat Chantaram. #SecretLocation #Worship #Worship #BeautifulTemplesAcrossThailand #ThaiTemple