Wat Chaiya Mangalaram Thai Temple

Penang has the most wonderful mix of cultures, consisting primarily of Malay, Chinese, and Indian. But, there's a diverse mix of other influences as well, and the result is a complex and vibrant place. In George Town, on Penang Island, you can find a Thai Buddhist Temple with an incredibly large statue of a Reclining Buddha, the third largest of its kind in the world… 33 meters long.

Directly across the street, almost as if in competition, there is a Burmese Buddhist Temple, known for its complement of Standing Buddhas. The gardens around the Burmese temple are filled with interesting art and sculpture, such as this Naga, a dragon in Buddhist mythology.

I had the opportunity to explore these two temples and more today, thanks to a local colleague and his wife who were kind enough to spend the day showing me around. Look for more pictures over the next several days, as I get a chance to post them!

In album Travel (18 photos)

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This Post Has 6 Comments

  1. Hey Mike. I met you at fourth of july on top of pier. Looks like i found your google page πŸ™‚ Hope all is well, we will be having a grand opening and photo show at my studio on novemeber 3rd, if you wanted to stop by. Would love to show you some works and my new place. talk to you soon!

  2. Chris, I'll look you up when I get back to the US (Thursday). I managed to get to G+ finally, but access from here in China seems unpredictable at best.

  3. Hey Mike. I met you at fourth of july on top of pier. Looks like i found your google page πŸ™‚ Hope all is well, we will be having a grand opening and photo show at my studio on novemeber 3rd, if you wanted to stop by. Would love to show you some works and my new place. talk to you soon!

  4. Chris, I'll look you up when I get back to the US (Thursday). I managed to get to G+ finally, but access from here in China seems unpredictable at best.

  5. Penang is even more cosmopolitan 150 years ago, with Armenians, Acheenese, Malabaris, Bengalis, Jews, all living close to one another.

  6. Penang is even more cosmopolitan 150 years ago, with Armenians, Acheenese, Malabaris, Bengalis, Jews, all living close to one another.

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