Ho Phra Isuan

The Ho Phra Isuan shrine and its neighbor across the street, the Ho Phra Narai, are all that remains to show there was once a sizable Hindu Indian population based in Nakorn Si Thammarat. The Ho Phra Isuan is dedicated to Shiva. On the altar in the shrine is a large Lingam shrouded in flowers. The Lingam is thought to date back to the sixth century.

Next to the Lingam on the altar is a statue of Shiva dancing in a ring of fire.

The small white chapel housing the altar is a replacement for the original, which weathered away. The current chapel was built by the Fine Arts Department in 1966.

Next to the chapel is a large swing similar to the Giant Swing in Bangkok, but on a much smaller scale. The swing was used in the Tri Yampawai and Tri Pawai Brahmin ceremonies. There was once a Brahmin church on the site, but the swing is all that remains.

Getting There

The Ho Phra Isuan chapel is right on Ratchadamnoen Road a short distance from the remnants of the North Gate. The best way to get there is by songthaew - a small pickup with benches along either side of the bed. Each trip costs just 5 Baht.