January 7, 2016

Wat Kate Karam

Just a little further down the road (sometimes a busy road without sidewalks) is Wat Kate, or more correctly, Wat Kate Karam. On the sign it is spelled Wat Ket, and sometimes spelled Wat Gate. This is a difficult translation; the correct sound is in between the “guh” of a “g” and the “kuh” or a “k”. I’m not sure how to make that sound, and the translators struggle, as well. At Wat Kate, it is spelled all three ways, Wat Ket, Wat Kate, and Wat Gate on various signs where there is an English translation.

This is a very old temple. There was a temple on these grounds dating back to the 1300s. The structures have been rebuilt since then, although the viharn (worship hall) is quite old; the artistry is very nice, and appealing.

The back of the main viharn. Quite artistically decorated.

The naga on the stairway bannisters are nicely done, a little more exuberant than at many temples.

The thewada on the doors of a smaller viharn are colorful and striking, with very odd reptile-like animals beside them.

The inside of the main viharn is very rich teak. This is a picture f the Buddha statues at the front of the viharn. Very rich looking.

The carvings of thewada (angels) are very nice, as well. Thewada, being very similar to angels in Christianity (often described as angelic beings that live in the heavenly realms), have no gender. Sometimes the artist has them appear female and sometimes very male. This one appears very female to me.

This thewada appears very male to me. They are all different, interesting, and artistic.

Next: A Walk to the Wat Palad Trailhead