The Temple of the Embalmed Monk is undoubtedly the most famous temple in Koh Samui and one of the most bizarre places in the Kingdom of Siam, so whether you have an affinity for religious sites or not, this is a place you don't want to miss, if only so you can say you were there and saw it.
Konram Temple is widely publicized for its evocatively preserved mummy belonging to the Buddhist monk, Luang Phaw Daeng, who was the abbot and died of natural causes in 1973. After his death, his body was embalmed and kept in a glass case on display for visitors to the temple.
For those who are not familiar with such topics - embalming is a method of burial in which by using various preparations and wrapping the dead body, they manage to preserve it in a relatively natural state. It is a religious custom associated with different cultures and the final result obtained at the end of the embalming process is a mummy.
Although this is an external process that is performed on the body of the dead one after his death, the local legend says that the monk's body was embalmed through deep meditations that he performed while he was alive and that enabled the preservation of the body. Following this legend, the locals see the embalmed monk as an inspiration and a role model and it is interesting to know that they say that he was a master of meditation and thanks to his high consciousness, he foresaw his death.
During your visit to the temple, you can get an impression of the mummy sitting in a glass aquarium wearing a traditional orange monk's robe and a pair of sunglasses (we said it would be bizarre). This is the time to remind that even though for those who are not religious the unusual appearance can be laughable, this is one of the holiest places on the island and one should behave with respect and silence as in any temple in Thailand.
A little more about the life and death of the monk for those interested
The famous monk was born in the village of Ban Thapo (Ban Thapo) under the name Deng Sechain and for two years in his twenties he was a monk. After this period he married, started a family with six children and became a wealthy man with a respectable reputation. Being in his fifties he decided to devote himself to the Buddhist religion and devoted himself to meditations and towards the end of his life he became an abbot.
According to the rumors, the monk studied and experimented with many meditation methods until he became a master in the field and managed to meditate for two weeks. It was so deep that his body became like a tree and according to belief this is also the position in which he died, being absorbed in meditation and having foreseen his death in this way a short time before.
Address - Na Mueang, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani
How to get there - The temple is on road 4169 between the city of Nathon and Lamai beach.
Activity time - Can be reached during daylight hours. If you want to see the monks during the holy ceremonies, you should arrive in the early morning or afternoon.
cost - Entrance to the temple is free, but it is customary to leave a donation.
