Imagine a serene escape. That’s Wat Kosit Wihan Temple. It stands a little north of Phuket City center.
Wat Kosit Wihan is no ordinary temple. It offers spiritual peace away from daily life. We’re on the road towards the airport, route 402. The temple is an important place for locals. It is known for its large Buddhist cemetery. I may revisit that soon to share its stories.
Near the main temple is a crematorium. Around the temple walls are recesses. These hold ashes and photos of the deceased. People leave money for the afterlife.
Let’s climb these steps. The temple is built into the jungly hillside. The temple offers western views across northern Phuket Town.
Wat Kosit Wihan is more than just another temple. It’s a vital part of daily life for the community. You can visit touristy temples like Wat Chalong. But a smaller temple is also worth your time.
Inside Wat Kosit Wihan, religious ceremonies occur. The shrine hall is most revered. It can get busy on religious days. Mornings can also be crowded when sermons take place.
I once looked for a golden laughing Buddha statue here. I also searched for a Lung Por Lod statue. Perhaps I was in the wrong Wat that day.
I found a place to burn the deceased here. It had an eerie quality. I also saw a teaching taking place. I forgot the name for this teaching.
Steps at the back led me to graves. I kept going up. I even found a statue behind bars. I walked around the Wat but could not get inside.
I found smaller shrines in the surrounding wall. I don’t often see this. It is certainly a special place to visit.
After a boat incident in Phuket, Wat Kosit Wihan became a center. It provided support for victims’ families. The Phuket Provincial Cultural Office managed it. They worked with various departments. These included Religious Affairs and the Tourist Assistant Centre. They helped families with documents. They assisted with religious rites. They even helped take ashes home.
Phuket City Municipality assigned officers to Wat Kosit Wihan. They issued death certificates. Fifteen Buddhist temples offered services. Wat Kosit Wihan was one of them. Each temple could perform rites for two bodies daily. Islamic and Christian rites were also arranged upon request.
Sky Trade Services helped transport bodies home. They packed coffins and obtained documents. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs waived fees for document translation. The Immigration Office waived visa fees for affected tourists.