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Wat Uttamaram วัดอุตตมาราม , Pasir Mas, Kelantan

Wat Uttamaram, Pasir Mas, KelantanWat Uttamaram, Pasir Mas, Kelantan (29 April 2017)


Wat Uttamaram วัดอุตตมาราม (GPS: 6.02182, 102.08718), known locally as Wat Bangsek, is a major Thai Buddhist temple in Kelantan. It is located in Kampung Teresek, in Repek, in the district of Jajahan Pasir Mas. Although there are many Thai Buddhist temples in Kelantan, the majority are concentrated in Jajahan Tumpat. Wat Uttamaram is one of the few major ones located outside of Tumpat.

The architecture of Wat Uttamaram reflects an eclectic fusion of various influences. There is a distinct Chinese influence in the architecture, though I have to say that the result looks quite similar to temples I have seen in Vietnam.

Wat Uttamaram was established by Buddhist abbot Jao Khun Wijaranyanmuni Cao Khun Khron, also called Luangpu Khron Ratchanaren, and known locally as Tok Raja ("Ratcha" is the Thai transcription for "Raja"). Born in Thailand in 1876, he established the temple in 1925. Tok Raja served as the Chief Abbot of Kelantan. It was not the only temple he established, for he also established Wat Uttamayanmuni in Choa Chu Kang, Singapore, 1n 1962.

Within the sprawling compound of Wat Uttamaram are numerous buildings and structures. In addition to the ordination hall, pavilion and bell tower, as well as many stupas, there is also a crematorium, quarters for monks and nuns, kitchen, dining hall, a football field, a futsal court and even a Thai language school.

My first visit to Wat Uttamaram was in 2006. I made a return visit eleven years later, in 2017. I had a difficult time finding this temple as my GPS took me down a country lane instead of using the main road. On the way out, I saw the correct road to take. This I will map out for your convenience, should you wish to make a visit.

Getting to Wat Uttamaram

Take Federal Route 3 out of Kota Bharu. At GPS 6.015797, 102.103560, turn right. At the next junction (GPS: 6.017193, 102.099742), turn right again, and at the next junction (GPS: 6.025928, 102.096033), turn left. After a distance of 1 km, you will arrive at the entrance to Wat Uttamaram on your left. Opening hours is from 7:00am to 10:00pm.

Wat Uttamaram is on the Map of Jajahan Pasir Mas, Kelantan

Photos of Wat Uttamaram

Here are shots I took of Wat Uttamaram on my second visit. It is much better than the shots on my first visit, during which it was such a gloomy day.

Wat UttamaramThe approach to Wat Uttamaram is across a bridge. (29 April, 2017)


Wat UttamaramWat Uttamaram signboard. Notice the hedge pruned to form the shape of an animal. (29 April, 2017)


Wat UttamaramWat Uttamaram entrance. (29 April, 2017)


Lady Phosop Pagoda, Wat UttamaramA 2-storey Chinese-style pagoda at Wat Uttamaram. It is called Lady Phosop Pagoda. (29 April, 2017)


Lady Phosop Pagoda, Wat UttamaramAnother view of Lady Phosop Pagoda. (29 April, 2017)


Phra Vicaranayanmuni's Stupa, Wat UttamaramPhra Vicaranayanmuni's Stupa at Wat Uttamaram. (29 April, 2017)


Phra Vicaranayanmuni's Stupa, Wat UttamaramA vertical shot of Phra Vicaranayanmuni's Stupa. (29 April, 2017)


Phra Vicaranayanmuni's Stupa, Wat UttamaramFront view of Phra Vicaranayanmuni's Stupa. (29 April, 2017)


Phra Vicaranayanmuni's Stupa, Wat UttamaramInside Phra Vicaranayanmuni's Stupa is a Buddha statue seated under a multi-headed hooded serpent. (29 April, 2017)


Kesaranusom Memorial Hall, Wat UttamaramKesaranusom Memorial Hall. (29 April, 2017)


Luang Phor Mitr Stupa, Wat UttamaramLuang Phor Mitr Stupa. (29 April, 2017)


Ordination Hall, Wat UttamaramOrdination Hall. (29 April, 2017)


Ordination Hall, Wat UttamaramOrdination Hall. (29 April, 2017)


Ordination Hall, Wat UttamaramOrdination Hall. (29 April, 2017)


Luang Phor Mitr's Quarters, Wat UttamaramLuang Phor Mitr's Quarters. (29 April, 2017)


Pavilion, Wat UttamaramPavilion. (29 April, 2017)


Chief Monk's Residence, Wat UttamaramChief Monk's Residence. (29 April, 2017)


Ordination Hall, Wat UttamaramOrdination Hall. (29 April, 2017)


Luang Phor Chan Stupa, Wat UttamaramLuang Phor Chan Stupa. (29 April, 2017)


Bell Tower, Wat UttamaramBell Tower. (29 April, 2017)

Back to Discover Kelantan mainpage; list of Thai Buddhist Temples in Kelantan and Thai Buddhist Temples in Malaysia

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Hello and thanks for reading this page. My name is Timothy and my hobby is in describing places so that I can share the information with the general public. My website has become the go to site for a lot of people including students, teachers, journalists, etc. whenever they seek information on places, particularly those in Malaysia and Singapore. I have been doing this since 5 January 2003, for over twenty years already. You can read about me at Discover Timothy. By now I have compiled information on thousands of places, mostly in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, and I continue to add more almost every day. My goal is to describe every street in every town in Malaysia and Singapore.
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