Giant Sacred Tree Draws Crowds Seeking Lucky Numbers

A ceremonial blessing of a giant tree called 'Mother of the Great Takian' drew crowds on August 14 at Satthatham Temple (also known as Mon Temple), near the Don Hoi Lot tourism site in Bang Ja Kreng subdistrict, Samut Songkhram province. The Chu Chi community partnered with the temple to honor the enormous tree that residents had retrieved from Chu Chi Canal after discovering it submerged underwater about 500 meters from the settlement. The tree was then installed beside the temple's golden teak ordination hall and has become a focal point for visitors and devotees.

The takian tree measures 7.75 meters long and 2.92 meters in diameter, weighing over two tons. Residents raised it from the canal on August 6 before relocating it to Satthatham Temple for public veneration. The blessing ceremony began at 10:09 a.m., led by monks and local officials chanting Buddhist verses for auspiciousness. Devotees brought flower garlands and colored cloth as offerings, while some believers applied powder to the trunk seeking lucky lottery numbers based on personal beliefs. Numbers derived from the ceremony—824, 36, and 968—became popular lottery picks among participants, though monks stressed that fortune is a personal matter that cannot be verified or guaranteed.

The temple houses another large takian tree, approximately 6-7 meters in girth and over 10 meters long, weighing at least 10 tons, which was brought from Lampang province about 20 years ago. Both trees reflect the deep spiritual and cultural connection the Chu Chi community maintains with the local waterway and traditional beliefs passed down through generations. The installation of these sacred trees has become a new attraction drawing locals, tourists, and spiritual travelers. Satthatham Temple welcomes visitors 24 hours daily to pay respects, experience the riverside Mon temple atmosphere, and learn about the heritage of the Chu Chi community while exploring the Don Hoi Lot attractions.