Hampton, Minnesota: Cambodian Buddhist Temple

Watt Munisotaram sits on a hill in the middle of farmland. The complex has an outdoor shrine, a monks' house, and the 60-foot-tall main temple, which has a first floor social space and an upper, main level space that features a six-foot tall statue and panels that tell the story of Buddha's life. The temple is elaborately decorated in gilded gold, rich colors, flowers, and many large statues of the Buddha.

It appears some major repairs/renovations are underway as well as construction of another tall building or tower of some sort.

We encountered one monk, and he and the other people who were gardening and doing maintenance on the property were very friendly and welcoming.

Watt Munisotaram is one of the largest Cambodian Buddhist temples (or wats) in America. Buildings are visible from roadway; also visible is a large gilded statue of the Buddha beneath an open-sided pavilion in front of the main structure.

I've never tried to gain access to the temple, so I don't know if it is open to the public; it is possible that some public access might be allowed during events such as the Cambodian New Year. But if you're coming to view the "Big Beach Dude" of Hampton just a couple miles away, you might as well cruise past this place.