Page 35 - พะงน Eng hi _Neat

Back to the Past on the Community Path
at Ban Maduea Wan, Ban Nai Suan

From Ao Chalok Lam, there is a road passing through a narrow hill between
Khao Ra and Khao Ta Luang and leading to the pavilion. Throughout the 15-kilometer-long
road are alternate green-belt areas, rubber plantations, farmland, and communities.
This beautiful road boasts several tourist attractions. Visitors who are able to go along
the western beach to Chalok Lam may go back in a circular manner to the pavilion,
without wasting their time to return to the original way.They will have an opportunity
to experience the green world of Ko Pha-ngan, as well.

The first spot at which visitors should stop here is the Guanyin shrine
and Wat Pa Saengdham, situated about six kilometers from the Chalok Lam
community. The shrine of Guanyin, or the Goddess of Mercy, stands on a slope
of Khao Ta Luang, the top of which is 478 meters above sea level, and it is

opposite Khao Ra. The shrine area is on a hill, which is one of the best spots
for scenic views. Here Ao Chalok Lam on the northern part can be seen clearly.
It is said that a woman, named Malawan, had great faith in Bodhisattva
Guanyin. She traveled to Ko Pha-ngan for Thot Pha Pa, a merit-making
ceremony, and on this occasion, she visited Ban Chalok Lam, a Hainanese
community where local residents were engaged mainly in fishing. Because
of her strong faith, she was determined to build a shrine of Guanyin for
people to worship and also as a lighthouse for fishermen during nighttime.
When she returned to Bangkok, she managed to collect money to build the

shrine, and the construction was completed in 1993.

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