Wat Chetupon, Chiang Rai

Around half an hour walk from clock tower on Banphaprakan Road, turning into Ratchayotha Road takes you to this beautiful wat, also referred as Wat Chatupon or Chatuphon
We went there but unfortunately, the vihar was closed. We came back disheartened but decided to visit  again the next day. It was again closed.

My husband spoke to a monk and he obliged by opening the doors for us.

view of wat from outside

coiled naga at entrance

standing Buddha near the entrance

view from inside

close up of coiled naga

coiled naga, notice the tail which goes around the temple pillar

beautifully decorated windows

Ho Trai, bell tower. Buddha images under tree

bell tower

Ho Trai or the library

roof of Ho Trai

Buddha images under tree

entrance to temple

main image inside

 pillars inside the temple

seating place for monks

mural above the entrance

first sermon by Buddha to his five disciples

ornately decorated door

side door

man turning Dharam Chakra, the wheel of life

Buddha image in a side room

another image close by

sema stones

Sema stones are boundary stones which define the sacred area around a temple.

stupa behind the vihar

stupa wall surrounded by hintha, hansa or swans

stupa with Buddha images in niches

Gua Yin or Kua Yin, Boddhisattva of compassion

beautifully crafted hintha

very close to the bird are two temple side by side

Sala Pakalawadee (Sala Kaew)

a place that represents liberation from all passions

Behind the above image, is another one, Sala Pra see va lee-Pra sang Kad Jai

Sala is a pavilion shelter for Kad Jai

Phra Song Kad Jai or Phra Sangkatjay or Katyayana or Kaccana. He was one of the prominent disciple of Gautam Buddha. He helped in propogating Buddhism.

In a corner is an image of snake coiled around an egg. I have not been able to get a proper explanation for that.

snake with egg, close up. Egg probably represents the cosmic egg

two tiered roof

entrance gate from inside

grand entrance gate with naga on sides

I must say that the wat is very beautiful with green, red and gold colors.

Entrance: free