This landmark appeared on Samui not so long ago, and At first it was perceived by the guests of Koh Samui just as another chinese temple Moreover, the temple of non-standard architecture and incomprehensible compositions, where there are many steps, a strange red-headed head on pedestal and when visiting this place there is a feeling of some kind incompleteness in general. But a detailed study of the issue can to learn that the idea of this temple has deep meaning, and incomplete – quite understandable.
The content of the article
- 1 Guan Yu Sanctuary
- 2 Information to visit
- 3 On the map
Guan Yu Shrine
Guan Yu Sanctuary was conceived not just as a place to worship god Guan Di (this is the same guy with a red face and green robe). Everything you see here is built on Donations from Thai descendants of people from Hainan. Hainan, how are you remember, this is the southernmost island of China, it is also a resort and a province in one person. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the first Hainan immigrants, who were not met with such hostility, as it happened in other states next door to China. So that you understand the depth of the ages, I remind you that at the same time Yermak conquered Siberia and attached it to the Russian to the state.
Hainan caught on Samui, which in those days was a fairly isolated and self-sufficient community that had little communication with mainland Thailand. Overwhelmed by the local population gave birth to children, and in general began to feel much better than on Hainan. But in order not to lose touch of generations, and not to forget about their descendants, the rich descendants decided to create such a place on Samui, which would combine the sanctuary, the cultural center, and shopping arcade. Practical and with meaning.
Guan Di, aka Guan, was chosen as the god of the sanctuary. Yu By the way, quite a real character, dear Chinese military leader, who lived in 160-219 years AD. Despite its valiant and faithful service to the emperor, he was unjustly accused in some crime, and executed with his son and squire. However, over time, his name became overgrown with legends, Guan Yu was credited with feats and inhuman characteristics, gradually canonizing man, and translating him into the host of the gods of China. For example, the red color of his face is explained by the tale that he smeared my face with red clay from the river to pass unrecognized past the guards who were looking for him for killing some unfair and greedy judge.
After more than a thousand years after his death, Guan Yu became god of war, god of rain, god of something else, and of patron masses of professions. He is worshiped in different religions of Asia, in his honor Thousands of temples have been built where Guan Di is always standing in the green clothes, with a red face, with his son, a squire and with guan-tao in hand. Guan Dao is a pole with a sword at the end, like legends say – his personal invention.
Guan Yu on Samui
As for the cultural center – you will find it behind a huge statues of Guan Yu. The statue appeared in 2016, instead of lonely the red head, which lay there for many years, scaring and admiring passing tourists. Immediately after the statue will be a small chapel, and here after her, in a building with doors that depict Chinese gods Guards Doors, is a large room with high walls. These walls are hung with photographs of people. You will It is interesting to know that all this is just people. Not some heroes war or labor, not representatives of rich families, but simply – people. Parents, grandmothers, grandfathers, great-grandmothers and great-great-great, in general – ancestors. All these photos brought residents of Samui, who have a history conducted from the time of arrival on the island of their Hainan ancestors.
The idea of a cultural center is for people to share their photos, letters, recordings, in short – everything that helps subsequent generations to come here, see, listen and touch. In addition, the center is supposed to open a school. Chinese (Mandarin) language for children. Here spend wedding ceremonies are not free truth but all the proceeds funds go to the further development of the sanctuary. After all, behind all the building is still a huge wasteland, which is planned construction of a shopping center, which will allow you to move to golf carts. They, by the way, are already purchased and stand-dusting on Backyard of Guan Di Temple.
Stella with the name of the place, and part of the parking lot with shopping in rows
Guan Yu Shrine
Red-faced god Guan Yu, he’s Guan Di
The lower part of the building is designed for meetings and meals communities
Not yet operating tea rooms
Oven for burning garbage, all scraps of paper after holidays
Ritual gongs, people walk, pray, knock and ring, and only then go inside.
The layout of the entire sanctuary in miniature.
Information to visit
Entrance to the attraction is free, from 8 am to 6 pm, donations in the temple are voluntary. Upon entering the main buildings you need to take off your shoes, well, in general, to comply with the dress code for such places (closed shoulders and knees), although there are never any permanent clergy or supervisors. Whole territory courtyard on the edges of the parking lot – it is shops and cafes with Chinese and Thai food. I will not advise any particular place for a snack, they prepare mediocrely, but the prices are quite tourist. Parking is very large, and at the time of my visit – free. The sanctuary is located in the large Muslim village of Hua Thanon, which is known for its seafood market and mosque.
On the map
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