The Thracian sanctuary Beglik Tash is located in the highest part of cape Beglik Tash (128 meters above sea level), near Primorsko. It covers an area of 6 decares. It is located in a forest territory, which used to be part of the hunting residence of the former communist head of the state Todor Zhivkov (ruled 1954 – 1989). Therefore one of the greatest discoveries regarding the Thracian history on the southern Black Sea coast and Strandzha remained unknown to science until 2003.
The entrance for the sanctuary is from the southwest. A stone “marriage bed” can be reached by a cliff path. Two sacrificial stones surround the bed. Deep baths are dug into them, connected by outfalls for pouring of ritual liquids – wine, milk, olive oil, rain water. A throne of stone stands next to them; deep outfalls and crossing lines are dug around it, which join and form a large rectangular “sharapana”. Three “menhiris” (large round stones) lie in the eastern part of the circle. At the top of the highest “menhiri” is carved a “divine step”, 0.6 meters long, 0.34 meters wide. The same “divine step” can be found in the opposite southern section at the foot of the rock terrace. The divine steps mark the innermost sacred place, only determined for the ones, who are initiated to participate in the mysteries.
The entrance for the sanctuary is from the southwest. A stone “marriage bed” can be reached by a cliff path. Two sacrificial stones surround the bed. Deep baths are dug into them, connected by outfalls for pouring of ritual liquids – wine, milk, olive oil, rain water. A throne of stone stands next to them; deep outfalls and crossing lines are dug around it, which join and form a large rectangular “sharapana”. Three “menhiris” (large round stones) lie in the eastern part of the circle. At the top of the highest “menhiri” is carved a “divine step”, 0.6 meters long, 0.34 meters wide. The same “divine step” can be found in the opposite southern section at the foot of the rock terrace. The divine steps mark the innermost sacred place, only determined for the ones, who are initiated to participate in the mysteries.
So far, the central platform of the sanctuary is best researched. It is slightly raised above the surrounding terrain; cave elements, which used to serve in rituals, lie in a circle with diameter of 56 meters at the platform. They have preserved their natural characteristics, but were moved and shaped by humans with the typical sacred symbols and signs. Behind them stands an astronomical clock, made of 16 flat round stones. Near it is the “Labyrinth” – the path of ordeal – and a huge dolmen, representing the “holy cave”.
Pottery, stone tools and weapons, flints, coins, etc. were found during archaeological explorations. They show that the place was created in the middle of the 2nd millennium BC and was destroyed in the beginning of the 4th century AD. The lack of later constructions upon it has allowed the preservation of the unique sacred elements in their original form.
Superman flies through the paintings on a temple wall. A towering demon rises above you wielding a sword. Hands reach out from the depths below you on a bridge to a heavenly temple. Shrunken heads sprouting Spanish moss hang from tree branches. Thai angels and mystical creatures cavort through the temple grounds and on the masterpiece sanctuary at the temple’s heart. Wander through the magical world of Wat Rong Khun, often referred to in English as the White Temple.
Perhaps the most unique temple in the Kingdom of Thailand, the White Temple was born from the devotion of National Artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. A deeply devout Buddhist famed primarily for his religious-themed paintings, Chalermchai began the White Temple in 1997. Wat Rong Khun however is no traditional temple.
Every detail of Wat Rong Khun carries deep religious symbolism – though admittedly most Thais will be unaware of most of the meaning as well unless they have studied up on its mysteries.
The heavy earthquake of 5 May 2014, magnitude 6.3 and the numerous aftershocks, damaged the amazing White Temple in Chiang Rai, Wat Rong Khun seriously.
About ten years ago, a local man named Gao Shuxian from Chengdu, Sichuan Province, ventured up a newly constructed signal tower on top of a mountain peak in the Matou village in order to have a better view over the astonishing forest and nearby surroundings.He was really surprised to see that, when viewed from above, a decent part of the forest to the north transformed into something mysterious.At first, he couldn’t exactly explain what he saw because the signal tower did not offer him enough height in order to have a clear view over the entire anomaly.
"When I was standing on the signal tower 10 years ago, I saw that some trees in the cedar woods were somewhat different from the other trees. They were growing in lined radial patterns. I thought it was amazing, but I was unable to get the whole picture because the signal tower I was standing on was not high enough."
Bearing the strange sight in mind for over a decade, Gao Shuxian decided to have another look, now that the new technology allows people to check different areas of our planet from satellite.Using the online satellite maps, he checked that particular area of the mountain and saw the mysterious pattern the trees formed, now being able to have a better and ampler view.He distinguished three giant symbols formed by the trees that if united resembled to Chinese character “犇” which means “run fast”.
The puzzling design of the forest spreads from northwest to southwest over the mountain range, covering over 1,200 acres, with the entire pattern being about 0,6 miles long and 0,3 miles wide.
We can see clearly that the trees forming the arrangement have a different color as well as different heights.
