Divine SERENITY

A JOURNEY INTO THE REALM OF BUDDHIST TEMPLES IN CHIANG MAI.

MOST TOURISTS visiting Thailand restrict themselves to the beaches in the south and the capital city of Bangkok. However, I believe that nature’s best kept secrets lie hidden in the north of the country. Chiang Mai in North Thailand is a traveller’s paradise that very few are aware of. The attractions in Chiang Mai—meaning “New City”—are embedded in the shape of a rectangle passing through various gates and bordered by perennial moats decorated with fountains and surrounded by large shady trees. Chiang Mai is a food paradise where Thai cuisine (with its signature dish, Pad Thai, is very popular) besides a plethora of dedicated cuisines from Italy, Mexico, Israel, Japan, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Indonesia, Spain and America. The main city holds an enviable cluster of Buddhist temples at almost every nook and corner with Wat Phra Singh, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Wat Chedi Luang, and Wat Buppharam being the most well-known.

Wat Phra Singh, also known as the gold temple, houses three main structures. The main attraction is the elegantly decorated Viharn Lai Kam Assembly Hall with its restored murals depicting the lives of locals hundreds of years ago. Besides the Viharn Lai Kam, the larger main assembly hall (Viharn Luang) houses a 15th century Buddha cast from copper and gold. A visit to Wat Phra Singh gives one a rich glimpse of the Lanna temple’s art and architecture.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a Theravada Buddhist temple situated about 15 km from the city of Chiang Mai. Regular songthaews (covered pickup trucks) ply this route from the main centre till Chiang Mai University and then further on from the Chiang Mai University to the main temple. A piece of bone said to be from the shoulder of the Buddha is enshrined in the temple. Doi Suthep is the name of the mountain where the temple is located.