Wat Damrei Saa, the White Elephant Pagoda, is located one block behind the Battambang Museum in the southern part of town.
There are a pair of white elephant statues outside the western entrance to the temple; on the eastern side of the temple there are a number of interesting, arguably morbid statues, including a white elephant being ridden by the Buddha who is witnessing the world’s suffering.
In addition to the curious statuary and many interesting chedi (funerary spires), the temple, which was built in 1840, is worth visiting on Buddhist holidays when many locals come to make merit and participate in religious and cultural activities.
When to Go
In the early morning when monks are going/returning from receiving alms and on Buddhist holidays, particularly on festivals occurring on full moon nights.
Getting There
Wat Damrei Saa is located between streets 2 and 3, on the west side of the Sangke River towards the southern end of the city-center. The temple can be visited either on foot or by bicycle, motorbike, or tuk tuk.
Need to Know
- What is It?: One of the most interesting and active Buddhist temples in Batdambang town.
- Nearest Town: Wat Damrei Saa is located in central Batdambang town, which can be reached by bus from Phnom Penh in 4-5 hours, from Siem Reap (bus: 3 hours or boat: 7-10 hours), or from the Poipet and the Thai border (2 hours).
- Don’t Miss: Celebrations and ceremonies performed on Buddhist holidays and Khmer New Years. - calendar
- Opening hours: Generally the grounds to the temples are open during daylight hours.
- Entrance fees: None