Minnesota is home to more than a few architectural wonders. For example, the colorful Naniboujou Lodge in Grand Marais is unlike anything else in the state. There's even a gas station with a claim to fame: the R.W. Lindholm Service Station in Cloquet was built by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Today, we'd like to add another standout architectural wonder to the list. Hampton, Minnesota, is home to the largest Buddhist temple in North America. Surrounded by rural fields, this beautiful structure is unlike anything else in the state. Read on below to learn more about the temple, called Watt Munisotaram:
Watt Munisotaram is a Buddhist temple in Hampton, Minnesota, about 35 miles south of the Twin Cities in Dakota County. It is surrounded by farmland, making it an unexpected sight for those who happen to come across it.
The temple was established in 1982 by the Minnesota Cambodian Buddhist Society. It covers 40 acres of land, with several buildings.
The buildings are much different from other architecture in Minnesota. The ornate, colorful designs bring unique beauty to the Minnesota landscape.
All around the main temple, you will see exquisite details painted, carved, or inlaid. A visit to this place is truly a feast for the eyes.
In the summer, there are beautiful gardens. And in the winter, the white snow is a picturesque contrast to the colorful temple.
But the Watt Munisotaram isn't just meant to be beautiful. It also offers a place for meditation and worship for Minnesota Buddhists. Many Buddhist celebrations are held here, which host visitors from all over the world.
If you ever get the chance, try paying a visit to this beautiful Buddhist temple. It's a truly unexpected sight in rural Minnesota, but it is the largest temple of its kind in North America.
Have you ever heard of Watt Munisotaram? If you'd like to learn more about the temple, visit their Facebook page.
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