The Shaman's Vision

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"Curiouser and Curiouser"
                                                                                         - Alice in Wonderland 


10 October 2010

While there was no white rabbits involved, Jean and I did find ourselves in a bizarre wonderland of sorts this morning. Nong Khai is a quiet town on the Thai/Lao border. Its one tourist attraction is a sprawling sculpture garden on the edge of town.   


We rented bicycles and took off along the promenade in the morning. Cutting inland Jean and I passed through town and were soon weaving our way through country lanes.  Then we saw this giant seven headed snake towering overhead and we knew we'd found it.


Sala Kaev is the lifetime project of the Shaman Luang Pu. If the Shaman had decided to pursue a career in the film industry rather than building sculpture gardens I believe Tim Burton would be out of a job. It was odd and interesting place that blended elements of Buddhism and Hinduism with amazing creativity. Luang Pu certainly had a vision. He must have been pretty charismatic as well to enlist help to construct his creation.  
 

No white rabbits but we did find a large rat
Here's what our tourist map says about it:



Sala Kaev was built by, and born out of the vision of the Shaman Luang Pu Boun Lead Suriat and his followers. Construction began in 1978.

Shaman Luang Pu Boun who passed away in 1996 had originally started his creation in 1958 in “Xieng Khaan” or the Buddha Park on the Laos side of the Mekong although born in the Nong Khai province in 1932. Fled back to Thailand after the Laos revolution of 1975. Filled with images of the Buddha as well Hindu gods and Christian religious icons.

The Wheel of Life
Scene from the Wheel of Life



Entrance to the Wheel of Life


Comments

sly said…
That is some warped imagination. No giant rats in my garden, thanks anyway!
22 November 2010 at 07:45
Unknown said…
I think that the Hindu god Ganesh (Gsnesha) is often shown riding on or accompanied by a rat.
22 November 2010 at 10:21
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