By Allan Dumbong
International Correspondent
A statue of Mucalinda protecting the Buddha in Mucalinda Lake in Mahabodhi Temple.
It is said that six weeks after Buddha began meditating under the Bodhi tree, the sky darkened for seven days and a heavy rain fell.
But the mighty king of serpents, Mucalinda, came from the depths of the earth and protected the one who is the source of all protection with his bonnet.
When the great storm had subsided, the serpent king took on his human form, bowed to the Buddha and returned to his palace full of joy.
The motif of the Buddha meditating under the protection of Mucalinda is very common in the iconography of Gautama Buddha in Laos and Thailand.
A modern rendition can be found in the Sala Keoku sculpture park in Bunleua Sulilat.
Allan travels the world exploring new places, making memories, and sharing best lives in Postcards.
