The Occasional Pilgrim: Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Step inside Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a Theravada Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai, Thailand, with stunning views overlooking the city.
Gilded statues and brightly painted walls narrate and depict important events in the Buddha’s life. Religion News Service photo by Brian Pellot, 26 October 2014.
The Occasional Pilgrim is an online feature from the staff of Religion News Service, highlighting pilgrimage destinations from around the world.
CHIANG MAI, THAILAND (RNS) Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a Theravada Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai, Thailand, situated atop Mount Suthep overlooking the city. Established more than 600 years ago, Wat Suthep is considered one of the holiest shrines in northern Thailand. Legend has it that a white elephant carrying a relic of the Buddha walked up the mountain, trumpeted three times and died here, marking the site as temple-worthy. The stunning views from this this monastery and popular pilgrimage destination are well worth the winding 10-mile songthaew or motorbike ride to the top.
Click on any photo below to step inside.
Tourists and pilgrims climb more than 300 steps, past food vendors and children posing in traditional dress, to the temple entrance. Religion News Service photo by Brian Pellot, 26 October 2014.
No Buddhist temple would be complete without a few massive bells to summon monks and signal announcements. Look, but don’t touch. Religion News Service photo by Brian Pellot, 26 October 2014.
Chiang Mai’s tropical climate means plenty of palm trees scattered among the shrines. The sun spotlights Hindu deity Ganesha while three Buddhas stand in the shade. Religion News Service photo by Brian Pellot, 26 October 2014.
Tourists and pilgrims can wear shoes on the temple grounds but must remove them before entering the holy space. Be careful not to burn your feet on the sunbaked tiles. Religion News Service photo by Brian Pellot, 26 October 2014.
This dragon’s name is “Mom” in Thai. “Mother-in-law” might have been more appropriate… Religion News Service photo by Brian Pellot, 26 October 2014.
Worshippers kneel before one of Doi Suthep’s Buddha statues, showing reverence to his teachings. Buddhists believe that prostrating before the Buddha garners merit, which contributes to their spiritual liberation. Religion News Service photo by Brian Pellot, 26 October 2014.
This wax sculpture of a venerable monk is all too real. Buddhist monks typically wear red, purple or maroon robes in Myanmar and parts of northern Thailand. Orange, yellow and brown robes are more commonly found around Bangkok and elsewhere in Thailand. Religion News Service photo by Brian Pellot, 26 October 2014.
Doi Suthep’s chedi, or stupa, is the temple’s central focal point, for obvious reason. Stupas often contain Buddhist relics and loosely represent the crowned Buddha sitting in meditation. Religion News Service photo by Brian Pellot, 26 October 2014.
Worshippers kneel before Buddha statues in front of the main stupa, offering flowers to the Three Jewels — the historical or spiritual Buddha, the teachings of Buddha (Dharma) and the community of Buddhists (Sangha). Religion News Service photo by Brian Pellot, 26 October 2014.
Gilded statues and brightly painted walls narrate and depict important events in the Buddha’s life. Religion News Service photo by Brian Pellot, 26 October 2014.
Worshippers queue and kneel before a resident monk. Donation boxes scattered around Doi Suthep help keep the temple running. Religion News Service photo by Brian Pellot, 26 October 2014.
Visitors walk around the grand stupa, flowers and prayers in hand. Religion News Service photo by Brian Pellot, 26 October 2014.
‘Money trees’ are often ‘grown’ in local communities before being donated to help maintain temples. Making donations is thought to increase merit, which Buddhists believe carries over to future lives. Religion News Service photo by Brian Pellot, 26 October 2014.
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