Reclining Buddha Temple (Wat Chayamangkalaram)

Location: Penang

Location Info

Address: Burma Road, Georgetown Penang, Malaysia

District » Gerorgetown

Location

The Reclining Buddha Temple (Wat Chayamangkalaram) is located at Burma Road (Lorong Burma), Pulau Tikus, Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia. The temple can be seen on the road from Georgetown to Batu Feringghi. It is located right across of the Dharmikarama Burmese Temple.

Overview

The Reclining Buddha Temple (Wat Chayamangkalaram) is also known as the Sleeping Buddha by the locals. This temple is a Thai temple and it is well known due to the gold plated reclining Buddha that is as long as 33meters. This made it one of the largest available in the whole wide world. The temple was built in the year of 1845 on the five acres land given by Queen Victoria to the Thai's community. The reclining Buddha represents the historical Buddha at his death, with the name of Pra Buddhachaiya Mongkul which is a symbol to a complete peace and detachment from the world. You will be greeted by two statues right outside of the temple entrance. Remember to take off your shoes when you step into the temple. Behind the reclining Buddha, you can see there are many niches, containing the ashes of devotees. There is a small Thai village and a Thai cemetery just behind the temple.

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Transport

Take the Rapid Penang Bus numbered 101 from Georgetown. You can catch this bus from Chulia street, which then goes to Komtar and then along the famous street - Jalan Burma. The temple is on your right hand side. There are other buses that run near to the temple with numbers 10, 103 and 104. You can also take a cab to the temple from anywhere in Penang. The ride will cost an negotiable amount of RM40 form Georgetown to the Reclining Buddha Temple.