The Golden Mount Temple (Wat Sakret) is revered in Bangkok and houses the ash of Buddha. The name Golden Mount (Pho Khao Tong) refers to the shape of the gold (tong) chedi which tops the hill (pho khao). Every November the temple area hosts week-long festivities starting 7 days and 7 nights before the Full Moon celebrations of Loy Krathong. The Temple Festival (Tadsakarn Ngan Wat) has been celebrated at Golden Mount Temple for more than 100 years. if visiting the Loy Krathong Festival Week at Golden Mount it is best to arrive at the less busy Phan Fa Lilat entrance and walk from here.
The Carnival
Arriving at the Phan Fa Lilat entrance the walk to the mount is full of fun. A carnival wheel (ching cha sawan), a ghost house (baan phii sing) and all the fun stuff expected at carnivals around the world. I eat candyfloss and throw balls at the Dunk Tank (sao noi tuk nam). Also along the walk are stalls and stalls of street food. Food everywhere. From more modern street food snacks to traditional Thai recipes and hard-to-find treats.
Climbing the Golden Mount
Not a strenuous climb. 344 steps reach the top temple. Reaching it is seen as reaching the top of heaven. This is where people pray to Buddha pray for family, wishes, safety and health. The top Chedi is circled three times clockwise a ritual known as circumambulation.
