Wat Maniwong in Tambon Dong Lakhon, Thailand

Wat Maniwong (also romanised as Wat Maneewong) is located in Nakhon Nayok, around two hours’ drive from Bangkok. Alongside its gigantic Buddhist statues and intricate buildings lies its highlight, the "world nāga". The serpents, known in Thai as nāk or phayā nāk (from Indian 'nāga'), are believed to live in the realm of the underworld (pātāla). A walk into the building where the cave is begins with a pathway flanked by numerous Buddha statues and the nāgas circling to make archways.

Upon entering the 'underworld’, all around you are surrounded by serpents of various colours circling around the faux cave structure all the way to the roof. Dotted alongside them are treasures and golds that the mythical creatures are believed to be responsible for keeping. The cave is divided into zones belonging to different groups of nāga, noted by their different colours. At the centre of the cave is a tall Buddha statue which the serpents guard.

Every here and there are signages of Buddhist words of wisdom (in Thai of course) and plaques listing the names of donors who made the temple's expansion possible. Donation boxes and pedestals for offerings are also common for people to make merits and wish for fortunes. The "cave" complex has a long winding path that leads you through a recreation of the underworld in a Thai tradition. Up next on the route is the 'treasure cave' section where some items placed are understood to be real gold and precious stones, given to the temple by its patron as a Buddhist way of making merits.

Near the exit, the pathways are flanked by different Buddhist images, before leading you back to the human’s world. The walk takes about 15 minutes at a fast pace, but one could easily spend more time admiring the vivid colors and splendor of the serpents' home. The temple's current abbot, Luang Phi Tor, was responsible for its construction. He is well-respected and has, fore example, success raised funds for public goods, including building an ICU at the Nakhon Nayok Hospital, which was in need of one.