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Wat Tham Apai Damrongtham  
วัดถ้ำอภัยดำรงธรรม  
 Address:        
 Known as:   Wat Tham Puang วัดถ้ำพวง  
 Description:   Wat Tham Aphai Damrong Tham or Wat Tham Phuang and Museum of Phra Achan Wan Uttamo’s Eight Requisites is a Dhammayutika temple focusing on insight development located on the Phu Phan Range at Mu 1, Ban Tha Wat, Tambon Pathum Wapi. The area where the temple is situated was formerly called by the villagers as “Phu Pha Lek”, presumably because of the rich content of iron or “Lek” in Thai. When placing a magnet on the ground, it will attract a cluster or “Phuang” of small stones. This is how Tham Phuang derived its name. Wat Tham Phuang houses many sacred places of worship; namely:
- Wihan Phra Mongkhon Mutchalin enshrines a large image of the Buddha protected by the Naga, measuring 5 metres across the lap.
- Museum of Phra Achan Wan Uttamo’s Eight Requisites is the centrepiece of the temple’s area. Phra Achan Wan Uttamo (Phra Udom Sangworawisutthi Thera) was a monk master of insight development, a student of Phra Achan Man Phurithatto, and founder of this temple. The Museum is a 2-storey brick building tiled with marble. The lower floor exhibits paintings depicting the biography from the birth of Phra Museum of Phra Achan Wan Uttamo’s Eight Requisites. The upper floor houses his image seated in meditation surrounded by offerings and cabinets showcasing his eight requisites.
- Chedi Phra Udom Sangworawisutthi Thera is a 2-storey chedi with a similar shape as the Museum. There are staircases leading up to the chedi from 4 sides with 3 entrance facades. The upper floor of the chedi houses a lifelike image of Phra Achan Wan Uttamo. This chedi was constructed on the site where his cremation ceremony took place.
- The construction of the Chedi Pathom Sethna started January 22, 2001, the foundation stone laying ceremony on April 27, 2001, His Majesty the King Phra Sutham Faculty (Reverend Grandfather Rianwaralapho) was the president, then the construction continued with a length of 19 meters and a height of 15 meters, it takes a year to construct, Th chedi was completed the 16 October 2002.
- The Four Holy Sites imitate the sacred places of the Lord Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, first sermon, and Nibbana in Nepal and India.
   o The Birth Chedi is named “Phra Chedi Siri Maha Maya”,
   o The Enlightenment Chedi “Phra Chedi Si Maha Pho”,
   o The First Sermon Chedi “Phra Chedi Thammekkha Sathup”,
   o The Nibbana Chedi “Phra Chedi Wihan Parinipphan”.
- Wihan Phra Pang Lelai (วิหารพระปางเลไลยก์) enshrines the image of the Buddha accepting offerings from an elephant and a monkey.
To get there: From Amphoe Mueang Sakon Nakhon, take Highway No. 22 (Sakon Nakhon - Udon Thani) until arrive Amphoe Sawang Daen Din, turn left to Highway No. 2342 to Amphoe Song Dao. Then take Rural Highway No. 2021 and Rural Highway No. 5045 via Phu Pha Lek National Park and go straight ahead around 1.5 kilometres to the temple.
 
 Province   Sakon Nakhon  Direction:      
 District   Song Dao    
 City   Pathum Wapi  Comments:    Official Web:   Link to Official web site  
 Genre   Religion      Related links:      
 Best exposure   AM/PM          
 Rating            
 Opening time   N/A          
 Entry fee   Free     GPS :   17.26372, 103.45156    
                     
                     
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SUB-SITES PICTURES:    
 Wat Tham Apai Damrongtham (all)  Archan Wan Uttamo Museum
 Pagoda  Pathom Sethna Chedi
 Phra Chedi Si Mahapho  Phra Chedi Wihan Parinipphan
 Siri Maha Maya Pagoda  Wat Tham Phai Damrongtham
 Wihan Phra Pang Lelai  xx 
 

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