๐The Myth of Magalee pon๐

Magalee pon

Have you ever heard of the name Magalee pon? I think some of you may hear it from the legend. You think that has it real or not? I think many Thai people believe it because it is about superstition that Thai people believe and respect it. As Magalee pon that many Thai people want to get it to worship for wishing of them. What do you know about Magalee pon? If you don’t know, I will show you about Magalee pon.

First, I will show you about a place which has Magalee pon that is Himmapan Forest.

Himmapan Forest is located in the Himalaya Mountains. (The word "Himalaya" in ancient Sanskrit means "abode of snow". Perhaps that's also how the name "Himmapan" was derived.) It is also believed that the forests are located below the Buddhist heavens and are invisible to the eyes of humans, who can never approach or enter. The mountain is found on the Chomputaweep (India) sub-continent and cover 3,000 square yods (1 yod equals to 10 miles or approximately 16 kilometers). The mountain system has 84,000 peaks containing 7 large ponds (Anodard, Gunnamunta, Rottagara, Chuttanna, Gunala, Muntakinee, and Srihuppata). Anodard pond's is surrounded with 5 peaks which are considered to be the great peaks of Himmapan. There are many types of creatures living in the forest such as Buntu Rajasri, Kinari, Garuda, Nakaraj, Hongsa and Magalee pon Tree. Most of the creatures here are very different from what we have in our physical world. In fact, these animals are believed to be from artists' imaginations derived from ancient manuscripts describing how they look. So, you may see totally different looking creatures with the same name. That is perhaps due to different interpretations of the artists.

The history of a Magalee pon in Thai is as follow:

Naree pon or Magalee pon is a kind of tree which was described as strange female beings which are born from magical trees exist only in Himmapan Forest and Makalee Pon would come out of these fruits once they were ripen. It has a fruit which has a body like a young woman and a size of it equal human. When a tree fructifies, after 7 days a fruit will fall and a fruit can be 4-5 month. After that, it will sear and disappear. Believe that a smell of Magalee pon will attract many ascetics, gandharvas and scholars because they want to take Magalee pon to copulate.

Magalee pon in Himmapan forest

The legend of Magalee pon that is about 30,000 years ago, Pha Vessandara, his wife Matsi, his son Chali and his daughter Ganha all into exile. They went to Himapan forest to meditate. At that time, Tao Sungatevaraja saw a danger in the forest, so he used a magic to create a pavilion for Pha Vessandara and his family. Tao Sungatevaraja wanted Matsi saved from many ascetics, gandharvas and scholars who had still a passion and they would destroy a precept of Matsi while she went to find some fruit in the forest. Therefore, Tao Sungatevaraja used a magic to create 16 Magalee pon trees which far away from the pavilion. Actually, a fruit of Magalee pon was a type of fairy. When Magalee pon had a fruit, it was born of a fairy which was a beautiful fruit like a beauty of a fairy.

When the scholars passed Magalee pon, they would have a weak heart which made them lose a meditation and magic. Then, they could not fly until they practiced a new meditation to enhance their heart. Although, Pha Vessandara and his wife already departed from Himmapan forest, Magalee pon was still there. It is said it is a test of determination and firmness of the ascetics. Sometime ascetic who was a teacher would take his student to test of determination and firmness under Magalee pon tree. So, Magalee pon was a demand of the magical animals including scholars and gandharvases.

Some people take Magalee pon to worship.

This is a legend of Magalee pon which many people believe about it. Many people believe that it is real because there are some people have ever seen it like Loung poh Jarun at Aumpawan Temple who said that he has ever seen Magalee pon while he went to India. On the other hands, some people believe that Magalee pon is a kind of yam and it name is “Klingkang-dong” (กลิ้งกลางดง) which is sole in Laos about 300 baht. It is brought to carve like a nude woman to imitate the legend of literature.

This is Magalee pon that some people take it from Laos.

Some people belive that it is true story.

However, Magalee pon may be a true story for some people or may be only legend. I think it should be read as a moral story for people who want to practice a meditation. It will teach them about passion in a body of woman which it will make them lose a meditation that they practice for a long time. Therefore, I think that we should consider about Magalee pon carefully before we will believe it.

Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park

Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park

กรุพระเครื่อง เมืองคนแกร่ง

ศิลาแลงใหญ่ กล้วยไข่หวาน

น้ำมันลานกระบือ เลื่องลือมรดกโลก

Do you know? Thailand is a historical land and there are many historical parks such as Sukhothai historical park, Si Satchanalai historical park, Kamphaeng Phet historical park and Ayutthaya historical park. They are the most famous historical parks in Thailand. But the thing that I am interested that is Kamphaeng Phet historical park. Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park is an archeological site in Kamphaeng Phet. Along with Sukhothai Historical Park and Si Satchanalai historical park, it is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns. Kamphaeng Phet was not mentioned on the early Sukhothai inscription stones (while other cities were), indicating that it was initially not incorporated into the Kingdom or not of great importance. However it was recognized as a town of significance during the reign of King Li Thai. Moreover, three of them still have an identity of culture which relate each other many sides and they are also the first kingdom of Thailand. Now I will show you how Kamphaeng Phet historical park is interesting for visiting.

There are many ancient temples in Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park which are beautiful and interesting. Moreover, it still leaves the ruins for the new generations. First, I will take you to visit Wat Phra Si Iriyabot, Wat Phra Sing and Wat Chang Rop.

Wat Phra Si Iriyabot (วัดพระสี่อิรอยาบถ)

Wat Phra Si Iriyabot (วัดพระสี่อิริยาบถ) is located to the north of Wat Phra Non and have similar pond and bathroom facilities as its neighbour. Walls on the four sides are of laterite materials with an entrance also made of laterite. A Mondop structure houses Buddha statues in four postures-walking, sitting, standing and reclining in the Sukhothai artistic style. Today only the statue in the standing posture still remains.

Aged around the 15th -16st century, the lay-out of this temple is well organized. Significant construction within the Phutthawat area is a Viharn with its redenting base (both in the front and back sides). It situates on a large base called Paitee base. The front of Paitee base, there is a pedestal to place lion sculpture and a gate. At the Chook-Chee type of base inside this Viharn that is a place where a large size of the sitting Buddha image is. At the back of the base of the Viharn, it is the Mandapa where the four body movements Buddha image; the standing, walking, sitting and the reclining Buddha image are. The large Viharn was constructed showing that more attention was paid to the significance closed to the southern enclosure of the temple. While the Sanghawat is at the back next to the roll of the four body movements Buddha Mandapa.

Wat Phra Sing (วัดพระสิงห์)

Wat Phra Sing (วัดพระสิงห์) is believed to have been constructed during both the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya periods. With laterite walls, it has a square-shaped principal Chedi with arches on four sides. In front of the Ubosot are ornamental lion and Naga figurines.

Aged around the 15th -16th century. Its lay-out is in a rectangular shape oriented to the east. Its enclosure was built by a square shaped laterite posts that is in a row arrangement. At the temple frontage, there is a wayside shelter built by laterite. It was roofed with tiles. The significant construction within the temple is the Ubosoth that once was a Vihara. This Ubosoth had been modified by redenting it base both in the front and the back side. It situated on the Paitee base. At the terrace in front of the Paitee base, it was decorated with lion figure and guardian at the back of Ubosoth, the principle chedi decorating with the 4 Buddha image niches in its 4 directions. In Sankhawat area in the south of Phutthawat, it consits of sala base, the monk’s residence base and a pond.

Wat Chang Rop (วัดช้างรอบ)

Wat Chang Rop (วัดช้างรอบ) is a large temple situated on a high hill. Its main chedi of Ceylonese style is in the middle of the yard but its top part is broken down. The base is adorned with 68 half-elephants between which are Bhoti-shaped designs. There are also traces of demon and female dancers’ figures remaining.

Aged around the 15th -16th century. This ancient site is at the highest point of this hill. The large principal chedi is a round bell-shaped. Te square base is 31 meters width at each side decorated with fully furnished lime sculptures of 68 elephants showing only there front half. There are 1 staircase at each of the 4 sides decorated with lime sculptures of lion and guardian. At the top angle of the base (Lan Prataksin), a small stupa is situated at each of the four angles. The round bell-shaped chedi situated on an octagonal base decorated with lime sculpture (The story of Load Buddha) and terracotta (Kinaree and Swan). The vihara (viharn) which its redent base is in the front, the Ubosoth is in the northeast conner. A large laterite pond is found in front of the vihara, it has been existed in this ancient site for construction this temple.

Getting to Kamphaeng Phet province is easy. You just drive your car to Phahon Yothin Road about 358 km away from Bangkok. If you want to use public transport, you can take a bus to Chiang Mai, Sukhothai historical and Kamphaeng Phet. After that, you can take song-taew to Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park. I think it is very easy for you.

In summary, Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park is not ancient temple only, but also has more legends about the heroes of Thai people. After I went to visit Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park I admire our kings who protected their people and country. Moreover, they sacrificed themselves for Thai people and developed the country. Besides, I felt excited and interested in ability of Thai people in the past that they could create the beautiful temples and towns by their hands. I am glad to visit the 1 of 5 the World Heritage in Thailand. I think many of you should go to visit there because it is very beautiful and interesting places. I think Thailand remains many historical places which are waiting for us to visit.