Hall of the Thousand Buddhas is the main vihear or prayer hall at Wat Chaiyamangkalaram. Flanking the entrance are two nāga sculptures. Depicted here as dragons, these monsters from the water shelter the Buddha and are protectors of the scripture. The two ghoulish-looking guards are devas. In Thai, they are called yakshas and the female counterparts beside them are yakshinis. Inside the hall is a large reclining Buddha, hundreds of smaller statues plus a mausoleum holding the ashes of the community’s ancestors. You need to remove your shoes before entering.
