Wat Phra That Pha-Ngao, Amphor Chiang Saen, contd.

Coming down from the stupa at hill top, we skipped the textile museum on our left side and turned straight towards the temple I had been waiting for to see.

view of stupa, viharn

The information I could get from almost faded information board:

Wat Phrathat Pha-Ngao formerly called Wat Sobkhame was situated on the banks of Khong (Mekong) river. The river overflowed and caused the temple to collapse. The temple patrons decided to move the temple to a small nearby temple.

In February 1976, the temple patrons began to clear the dense forest and came across a cave named "Tham Pha-Ngao" which was shut for a very long time. A half statue of Buddha image which is 20 feet wide was also found when the construction of viharn began.

They intended to repair the ruin and bring it to original status. At night, on 28th February, 1976, Mr. Chanta promma, one of the patrons had a dream in which a black and tall monk told him that before elevating the piece....... 8 monks should perform a religious service......

I could not read further

I have already written about the history of this temple in my earlier post, Wat Phra That Pha Ngao, Amphon Chiang Saen

devotees stop to pay homage to enlightened monks on way to visit the stupa

Chedi or stupa:

A very unusual chedi can be seen here. The stupa, Phra That Pha-Ngao stands on a huge boulder.

The word, Pha Ngao means shadow of rock. This huge rock provided shade to visitors, hence it came to be known as Phra That Pha-Ngao.

view of stupa

Buddha image inside an alcove

People make a wish and stick gold foils on it.

Stairs run around the boulder. It is said that if one circumambulates the chedi and prays, the person is cured of all illnesses.

coming down the stairs

a family praying

It is believed that Khun Pa Ping, the 23rd ruler of Yonok Nakhon Kingdom constructed it in BE 494-512 ( 1037-1055 A.D.)

Viharn:

A fairly new cemented three tiered construction is the viharn. I do not know whether this is going to be like this or is going to be painted.

Viharn of Wat Phra That Pha Ngao

body of naga goes all the way to the entrance of viharn

naga head at entrance

Left figure:"Sit Ta Tha cutting hair as the Prince Lord "Buddha" reached the nex of Anoma river. He took off his dresses and articles used as a sovereign. He cut his hair with holy lance and changed to a hermit. The time period is stated to be 29th years of age"

Right figure: "Prince Sit Ta Tha" riding on Kantaka, his horse. Four devotees followed putting their hands under the horse's hoofs and carried to Anoma river."

inside view

During the construction of viharn, people found another Buddha at the base of 20 feet Buddha. After half of the image was revealed, further excavation was stopped and a prayer was performed. The image is called "Luang Pho Pha-Ngao." 

The image scene has been kept as such and no changes have been made. Stuccoed bust of Buddha with other pieces found lie on side

The image of Buddha (Luang Pho Pha-Ngao) is in Bhumisparsh mudra, or subduing Mara is in Chiang Saen art which has been influenced by Sukhothai style. The image sits on a large firm brick base. You have to crane your neck to see it properly.

couple taking blessings from monk

All around the viharn, are teak engraved in Lanna style depicting scenes from the life of Buddha.

panel showing Buddha taking seven steps soon after he was born

panel showing reclining Buddha

Buddha giving his first sermon

standing Buddha

Buddha sitting on a lotus

entrance door carving depicting daily Lanna life of people

Once outside, on the right are naga stairs which lead to obosuth, Wat Phra That Chom Cham, bell tower.  It is half way to the chedi on top.

side of viharn, Buddha in different postures

International Buddhist Tripitaka Hall:

Heading to the side of a beautiful building with multi-colored naga at entrance. In the center of a pond, is the Tripitaka hall.

Information on the board above: "The golden Lanna style teakwood building was built to commemborate the occassion of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 80th birthday anniversary, December 5th 2550 B.e. (2007). His Majesty, the King graciously gave the anmae for the hall on May 9th, 2550 B.e.

The lower part of the building is supported by 80 re-enforced concrete pillars and surrounded by swamp. The first floor and surrounding porches are made of sandstone.

the total construction budget of 19,750,999 Baht came from donations of the Julla Kathin sets of yellow robes offered for the Buddhist Lent between 2548-2552B.e.(2005-2009)

On January 29th, 2549 B.e., the foundation stone for the Tripitaka Hall in the middle of the swamp.

On December 2nd, 2550 B.e, her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visited Wat Phra That Pha-Ngao to elevated seven tiered parasol on top of Tripitaka hall and to anoint and sprinkle gold and alloy leaves for the molding of the temple's secret Buddha amulets.

On February 15th, 2554B.e,at 09:30. Her Royal Highness on behalf of His Majesty, The King, paid another visit to Wat Phra That Pha-Ngao and graciously presided over the opening ceremony of both the Tripitaka Hall and the Lanna Cultural Exhibition Hall."

Ho trai or Tripitaka hall stands in the middle of a pond.

Visitors love to feed fish, one turtle decides to bask in the sun

entrance

Inside the hall are many wooden cabinets which have Tripitaka(Buddhist scriptures).

The beautifully carved cabinets have collection from India, Cambodia, Thailand and Laos.

The outer wall of hall has images of well known temples in Northern Thailand.

the roof of hall

Lanna Cultural Exhibition Hall:

You cannot miss this beautifully three tiered building.

Exhibition hall

multicolored naga

exhibition hall entrance

entrance guarded by mom on either side

Moms are mythological protecting animal which are usually seen at the entrance of a temple in Thailand.

entrance to museum

King Mengrai, first King of Lanna Kingdom

Pictures taken of personalities who visited the temple

roof of museum

figure on the door

side view

It was a wonderful experience for us. Had never seen a temple like this. Though, a little distance from Chiang Rai, it a must visit, if time permits.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai

Around half an hour drive passing through University of Chiang Mai leads you to the main road to Doi Suthep. On your left, you pass the zoo and aquarium. Also are many waterfalls enroute as Mae Sa falls, Huay Kaew falls, Monthanthan. The signs are clearly visible. It would be worth a visit to these waterfalls if you happen to travel during the rainy season. The road is quite good and in between you get glimpses of the city below.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is commonly referred to as Wat Doi Suthep.

Few facts about this wat:

• Doi is a Thai name for mountain and Suthep is name of the mountain. Built 3, 500 feet above sea level, this Thervada temple is very much revered by the people and attracts pilgrims specially during Vesak Bochea ( Gautam Buddha's birthday) and Magh Bochea ( day of the first sermon of Buddha at Sarnath)
• Phra That: holy relic of Buddha (bone) enshrined here. Thus giving wat its name -- Phra Thai Doi Suthep
• Built by King Kuena or Gue Na of Lanna dynasty in 1386, temple has undergone renovation and expansion over a period of years.
• The 700 year old , the 14th century Lanna style temple is reached by climbing 300 steps and has the longest naga balustrade in Thailand.
• there is a small fee of 30 Baht (0.90 $) for foreigners.
• close to this wat, further ahead is Bhuming palace which is a vacation place of the King and also a guest house for foreign dignatories and state guests. I could'nt go as it was closed that day.

Legend associated with this wat:
There is a legend associated with this wat. It is said that a monk named Sumana Thera of Sri Lanka came to Sukhothai (an early kingdom in the north of Thailand). He dreamt of a relic believed to be the shoulder bone of Buddha in one of the pagoda. He found the relic. The ruler of Lanna Kingdom, King Kuena, a devout Buddhist invited him to Chiang Mai.

The monk stayed at Wat Suan Dok or Suan Dawg. It was decided to enshrine the relic at Wat Suan Dok. The bone when unpacked had split into two pieces. The smaller piece was enshrined in that wat but the larger piece was put on top of a white elephant in 1919 on Vesak Puja day letting him go free where ever he wanted.

The elephant climbed the mountain of Suthep reaching the place of wat, trumpeted thrice, fell down and died. This was considered as the a place for the wat to be built and enshrine the relic.

This is the place where all vehicles stop, make a U-turn to go back. If you are no mood to climb up 300 steps, go straight and take a cable car for a small fare of 50 baht ( around 15 cents). Thai residents do not need to pay for cable car or visiting the temple.

entrance to Wat

Foreigners pay for entry ticket on reaching the top.

Just on the right side of entrance is a golden statue of  monk Phra Thep Worasittajan who was once the abbot of this wat.

As you start walking towards the wat, you are greeted with 306 steps flanked by bejewelled naga on both sides.

close-up

entrance to wat

Keep climbing and as you near the entrance, a sign for foreigners is visible.

Dvaarpala or temple guardian on either side of entrance

lions just before entrance

Once inside, before entering the chedi, go around the place in a clockwise direction.

 Hor Rakhang or bell tower on the corner

ubosoth

Notice the wheel of Dharma behind the bell tower on both sides of entrance

bells surround outside the chedi wall

 Lord Ganesha

a terrible picture :(

Go straight ahead and you get to see a beautiful view of the city below, river Ping flowing with the backdrop of mountains. The farmers were burning their crop and this made the city full of haze all day.

a sign board outside the temple of white elephant

temple of white elephant guarded by MOM

MOM is a northern Thai mythical fierce creature which looks like a big gecko and dragon with sharp jaws. It is a guardian creature and known as "Dtuwamaum". Commonly referred to as MOM. Not to be confused with mother!

information regarding the relic

inside the temple

bronze statue of white elephant

wooden panel

Keep moving straight and under the tree named as the Bodhi tree, sits Buddha.

Buddha sits on a beautiful throne

On the other side of this tree is an image of emaciated Buddha.

people paying respect to the monk with whose efforts road to this wat was built in 1935

entrance to chedi with Ganesha on either side

Remember to take off your foot wear before entering inside towards the chedi.

images of Buddha behind which are murals depicting his life

In the center is the golden bell shaped 24 meters chedi in Lanna style which enshrines the holy relic (bone of Buddha).

Four such parasols stand on four corners of chedi which were added in the 16th century. Devotees make merit by sticking gold leaf to the shaft of these parasols.

replica of emerald Buddha ( original image is at Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok)

 Buddha sits under a canopy of Muchalinda (the serpent)

reclining Buddha

devotees offering holy water to chedi replica

The golden chedi is surrounded by viharns or wiharns which are places or halls where people come to pray. There can be one viharn in a wat or may have more with images of Buddha. They provide peace and solitude to devotees wishing to meditate.

paying respects in a viharn

Taking blessings from monk

beautiful golden and silver Buddha images in one viharn

another viharna

Devotees put oil in the lamps offering to Buddha in various asanas.

Sala tree

Also known as canon ball tree, this tree is important as Lord Buddha was born under a Sala tree in Lumbini on a full moon day in the month of Vishakha. A Ashoka pillar now stands today at the place of his birth in Lumbini.

flowers and nut of Sala tree

There are plenty of shops selling souvenirs as you come down.

birds in cages, they are released to gain merits

It is a good idea to have a drink of fresh coconut water or grab a small meal. Also some souvenirs one may chose to take back home.

Points of interest:

• Notice the longest makar balustrade as you climb up the 306 steps.
• beautifully decorated dvaarpalas before entrance.
• golden parasols on four corners of chedi
• replica of emerald Buddha
• temple of white elephant
• Bodhi tree under which sit Lord Buddha
• fine architecture depicting Lanna style
• view from the rear side of temple
• temple hours: 5:30am - 7:30pm,
• small entry fee for foreigners

Wat Sri Suphan, Chiang mai, Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai, Wat Umong, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Wat Jed Yod or Ched Yod, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chiang Mun, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Wat Suan Dok Mai