12/01/2010

Wat Lok Molee - Chiang Mai Temple



Taxi Chiangmai: Patrick mobile- 081 617 2116 (oversea call ++66 81 617 2116)
e-mail: neomart@gmail.com

This ancient temple was build in 1527, in the Ayudhaya period. The Lok Molee is one of Chiang Mai's beautifulest temples in town.

In the area just north of the city moat of Chiang Mai, opposite of the Wat Morntheran, is the Lok Molee Temple from the year 1527 located. The King Pra Muang Kaew commands his people to build the chedi and the vihan of the Wat Lok Molee here in north Thailand. Now, about 500 years still many believers and tourist comes to visit the holy Buddha images here in this Buddhist temple in Chiangmai. The entry of the Wat is protected by two colorful images of Todsagan. In the temple court you can rest by fresh coffee and watch the beautiful Asian architecture around you. Compared with other Wat’s in Chiang Mai is this low visited one and you can find some lonely moments to meditate or come down from the busy city in north Thailand.

Chiang Mai has more Buddhist temples per square mile than any other place in Thailand, some of the temples in Chiang Mai are actually as old as the city itself, aged staggeringly at more than 700 years old!.

Besides Wat Lok Molee, there are other significant temple:
One of the most visited temples in Chiang Mai is the Wat Doi Suthep. It is also one of the most highly revered and important temples in the country. Pilgrims travel to the temple on the Buddhist holidays of Visaka Bucha Day and Makha Bucha Day every year. The temple can be found on Huai Kaew Road, just past Chiang Mai Zoo.

Perhaps what the Wat Doi Suthep is most famous for is the legend of its founding, which is believed to be back in 1368. Legend has it that a monk had dreamed of God telling him to look for a relic in Pang Cha. When he did, he found a bone that many claim to be Buddha’s shoulder bone. When King Nu Naone found out about the relic with magical powers, he requested that it be brought to him. During the monk’s journey to meet the king, the relic had split into two. Wat Suan Dok enshrines the smaller piece. King Nu Naone placed the bigger piece on the back of a royal white elephant and released it into the jungle. The elephant was said to have climbed up Doi Suthep, trumpeted three times, then died at the site. King Nu Naone then ordered for a temple to be built on the said spot.

Wat Suan Dok, which enshrines the smaller relic, is found along Suthep Road. King Keu Na had this built in honor of the visit by Sumana Thera, who is a revered priest. “Field of flowers” is the loose translation of the temple’s name. Wat Suan Dok is famous for its numerous pagodas, locally known as chedi’s, which are scattered around the temple complex. The small, white pagodas found in front of the largest pagoda in the complex contain the ashes of the members of the Chiang Mai royal family. This was requested by Princess Dararatsami back in 1909.

Wat Chiang Man, which is found along the north wall of the old city on Ratchaphakhinai Road. Built in 1296, it is actually the oldest temple in Chiang Mai. The temple was built on the campsite used by King Mengrai when he was supervising the construction of Chiang Mai. The standing Buddha statue enshrined in the larger viharn (sermon hall) has an inscription dating from 1465, which makes it the oldest Buddha image in Chiang Mai.

The tallest structure in Chiang Mai is Wat Chedi Luang, which is found on Phrapokklao Road. The chedi used to measure 86 meters high and 44 meters wide. owever, the chedi now only measures around 60 meters due to massive earthquakes. Construction of the chedi started in 1391, but it was not finished until 1475.


Taxi Chiangmai: Patrick mobile- 081 617 2116 (oversea call ++66 81 617 2116)
e-mail: neomart@gmail.com

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