Phra That Kham Kaen is in Wat Chetiyaphum, Tambon Ban Kham. It can be reached by driving for 16 kilometres on Highway No. 209 (Khon Kaen-Kalasin road) and going left for 14 more kilometres. This is Khon Kaen’s main historical site. Legend has it that a dead tamarind stump miraculously grew branches and leaves again after a procession bearing the holy relics of Lord Buddha walked past. A pagoda was then built the area, and the name of the province was actually derived from this sacred place.

Wat Sa Bua Kaeo

Wat Sa Bua Kaeo The temple is located at Ban Wang Khun. The mural and sculptural works of this temple is worth a visit. Crouching guardian lion replicas are on both sides of the stairway leading up to the Ubosot, ordination hall, with sculptures of men stretching their legs in front in front. Luangpho Phui, preceptor of the temple, created all of these sculptures. Murals on four walls of this concrete ordination hall, both exterior and interior, feature the people’s lifestyle, history of the Lord Buddha, heaven and hell and folklore. The pictures are separated by the so-called Sinthao line, a flash-shape pattern which is widely found in murals from the Ayutthaya and Rattanakosin periods, not in the Isan region. By the unique brushwork, the murals mirror freedom of the artist in expressing emotion into the pictures, trees and animals, like Western impressionists. The favorites colors include yellow, indigo, red ochre, green, blue and black.